HENRY IRWIN FROM BELFAST SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE BUT RELEASED EARLY UNDER NORTHERN IRELAND LAWS

In October 2012, Henry Irwin, a man from Belfast, was released from prison after serving just over five years of a sentence that originally spanned nearly 14 years. His release came despite the fact that he was convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving the sexual assault of children, including rape.

Irwin, who was 43 years old at the time of his release, had been sentenced in 2007 to a total of 13 years and nine months behind bars. The charges against him included 45 counts of sexual assault, with some of the victims being minors. The severity of his crimes shocked the community and drew widespread condemnation.

However, under the controversial 50% remission law in Northern Ireland, Irwin’s time in custody was significantly reduced. Having already served over two years, he was eligible for early release, which meant he would serve less than five years in total for his despicable offenses. This law, which allows for early release based on certain criteria, has been a point of contention and debate within the region.

One of the victims, a young man from Belfast named Stephen, who was just 13 years old when he was assaulted in April 2005, publicly broke his silence in October 2007. On his 16th birthday, Stephen chose to waive his right to anonymity to speak out against Irwin and to shed light on the horrors he endured. His courage was driven by a desire to encourage other victims to come forward and to highlight the perceived injustices of the legal system.

Stephen recounted that the assault had a profound impact on his mental health, leading him to attempt suicide three times. He was present in court during Irwin’s sentencing and expressed his feelings of frustration and despair. “He is a monster,” Stephen said. “When the judge said 11 years, I thought it was great, but then they told me he was really only getting under five years and I wanted to scream. If it was my will he should have got life. I’d like to see him dead.”

He further explained that the trauma from the abuse would stay with him for the rest of his life. Stephen detailed how Irwin had initially lured him into his home with promises of vodka and cigarettes. Once inside, Stephen was subjected to pornographic material and was subjected to disturbing sexual acts performed by Irwin, who also spoke inappropriately and engaged in sexual acts in front of him. Over time, the grooming escalated into physical rape, with Irwin’s brutality increasing as he moved from manipulation to violence.

The case drew significant media attention and sparked outrage among the community and advocacy groups, who questioned the fairness of the remission laws that allowed Irwin’s early release. Many believed that justice had not been fully served, and victims like Stephen continue to suffer the emotional scars of their experiences.