GERALD O’HARA FROM LIMAVADY SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE CASES
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Limavady Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Limavady and the surrounding areas, Gerald O’Hara, a 67-year-old man from Beech Road in Drumsurn near Limavady, has been convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse spanning several decades. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that began in August 1978, when the victims were still in primary school, and continued over a period of fifteen years.
O’Hara was found guilty in June of this year after a lengthy trial, and the sentencing took place on a recent Friday. The court's verdict confirmed his guilt on 14 of the 23 charges brought against him, following an earlier conviction on eight charges at a separate trial. His conviction was the result of a re-trial after he appealed his initial convictions, which had been for eight counts. The judge described the abuse as 'appalling' and emphasized that it was carried out with premeditation and a serious breach of trust.
During the trial, the court heard that the abuse occurred in the vicinity of O’Hara’s family home, a location that should have been a safe haven for the victims. When questioned in April and May 2014, O’Hara denied the allegations, claiming he was 'sickened' by the accusations. However, the court was presented with victim impact statements from three women, which clearly demonstrated the profound and lasting effects of his actions. The judge noted that the abuse had a significant psychological impact on the victims, with one victim recounting that O’Hara smiled regularly as he abused her, indicating a disturbing lack of remorse.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge highlighted the severity of the crimes, stating that the abuse was a serious breach of trust and involved planning and premeditation. The court also took into account the delay in prosecuting O’Hara, which had allowed the victims to endure years of suffering before justice was served. As part of his punishment, O’Hara was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison, with eight and a half years to be served behind bars and an additional two years on probation. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offender’s register for life and will be subject to a sexual offences protection order for five years following his release.
Additional measures include a lifetime disqualification from working with children, and a ban on any contact or communication with his three victims, as well as with children under the age of sixteen. The court also mandated that he must allow police access to his home after his release, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.
Beyond the legal proceedings, the community of Limavady experienced a wave of hostility following the conviction. The court heard that O’Hara’s car was set on fire, and there were threats to burn down his family home. The judge condemned such actions, emphasizing that violence and threats are unacceptable and that the court disapproves of such behavior. Despite these threats, the court recognized that O’Hara must now face the consequences of his actions and the social repercussions that follow.
In a separate but related case from May 2017, O’Hara, then aged 65, was also convicted of abusing his nieces during the 1980s. The abuse involved eight counts of indecent assault committed over a seven-year period from August 1980 to August 1987. The victims, who waived their right to anonymity, were aged between 10 and 17 at the time. One of the nieces was assaulted while babysitting in O’Hara’s home, where she was asleep in a bedroom when he entered and assaulted her as she tried to comfort a crying child.
O’Hara was sentenced to nine years for these offenses, with seven years to be served in custody and two years on probation. He was also placed on the sex offenders register and subjected to a sexual offences prevention order for five years. The court heard that he assaulted the second niece on multiple occasions, including in the kitchen, bathroom, and even in a coal bunker attached to his house. One of the victims described how O’Hara always looked up and smiled at her during the abuse, and she expressed her desire for the ordeal to be over, highlighting the trauma inflicted.
In a further development, O’Hara was finally named publicly for the first time after the victims waived their right to anonymity. The court confirmed his identity as Gerald O’Hara of Beech Road, Limavady, and detailed the nature of the abuse, which included incidents in various parts of his home and the coal bunker. During the trial, O’Hara claimed that the victims were lying, but the court found that the abuse had long-lasting effects, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The prosecution pointed out the aggravating factors, such as the number of victims and the extended period over which the abuse occurred, emphasizing the breach of trust involved.
Judge Philip Babington adjourned sentencing to a later date, citing the complexity of the case, and O’Hara was remanded in custody to appear again on May 23. The case has left a lasting scar on the community, and the court’s verdict serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of such heinous crimes.
O’Hara was found guilty in June of this year after a lengthy trial, and the sentencing took place on a recent Friday. The court's verdict confirmed his guilt on 14 of the 23 charges brought against him, following an earlier conviction on eight charges at a separate trial. His conviction was the result of a re-trial after he appealed his initial convictions, which had been for eight counts. The judge described the abuse as 'appalling' and emphasized that it was carried out with premeditation and a serious breach of trust.
During the trial, the court heard that the abuse occurred in the vicinity of O’Hara’s family home, a location that should have been a safe haven for the victims. When questioned in April and May 2014, O’Hara denied the allegations, claiming he was 'sickened' by the accusations. However, the court was presented with victim impact statements from three women, which clearly demonstrated the profound and lasting effects of his actions. The judge noted that the abuse had a significant psychological impact on the victims, with one victim recounting that O’Hara smiled regularly as he abused her, indicating a disturbing lack of remorse.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge highlighted the severity of the crimes, stating that the abuse was a serious breach of trust and involved planning and premeditation. The court also took into account the delay in prosecuting O’Hara, which had allowed the victims to endure years of suffering before justice was served. As part of his punishment, O’Hara was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison, with eight and a half years to be served behind bars and an additional two years on probation. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offender’s register for life and will be subject to a sexual offences protection order for five years following his release.
Additional measures include a lifetime disqualification from working with children, and a ban on any contact or communication with his three victims, as well as with children under the age of sixteen. The court also mandated that he must allow police access to his home after his release, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.
Beyond the legal proceedings, the community of Limavady experienced a wave of hostility following the conviction. The court heard that O’Hara’s car was set on fire, and there were threats to burn down his family home. The judge condemned such actions, emphasizing that violence and threats are unacceptable and that the court disapproves of such behavior. Despite these threats, the court recognized that O’Hara must now face the consequences of his actions and the social repercussions that follow.
In a separate but related case from May 2017, O’Hara, then aged 65, was also convicted of abusing his nieces during the 1980s. The abuse involved eight counts of indecent assault committed over a seven-year period from August 1980 to August 1987. The victims, who waived their right to anonymity, were aged between 10 and 17 at the time. One of the nieces was assaulted while babysitting in O’Hara’s home, where she was asleep in a bedroom when he entered and assaulted her as she tried to comfort a crying child.
O’Hara was sentenced to nine years for these offenses, with seven years to be served in custody and two years on probation. He was also placed on the sex offenders register and subjected to a sexual offences prevention order for five years. The court heard that he assaulted the second niece on multiple occasions, including in the kitchen, bathroom, and even in a coal bunker attached to his house. One of the victims described how O’Hara always looked up and smiled at her during the abuse, and she expressed her desire for the ordeal to be over, highlighting the trauma inflicted.
In a further development, O’Hara was finally named publicly for the first time after the victims waived their right to anonymity. The court confirmed his identity as Gerald O’Hara of Beech Road, Limavady, and detailed the nature of the abuse, which included incidents in various parts of his home and the coal bunker. During the trial, O’Hara claimed that the victims were lying, but the court found that the abuse had long-lasting effects, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The prosecution pointed out the aggravating factors, such as the number of victims and the extended period over which the abuse occurred, emphasizing the breach of trust involved.
Judge Philip Babington adjourned sentencing to a later date, citing the complexity of the case, and O’Hara was remanded in custody to appear again on May 23. The case has left a lasting scar on the community, and the court’s verdict serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of such heinous crimes.