JOHN CARVIN FROM DUBLIN AND TIPPERARY FACES PROTESTS OVER SEX OFFENSES

In August 2023, a disturbing situation unfolded in Tipperary when residents learned that John Carvin, a man with a criminal past involving sexual abuse, had been relocated to their community. The news of his arrival sparked immediate outrage among local residents, leading to organized protests outside his new residence. Carvin, aged 53, who previously resided in Dublin, was moved from the Borris in Ossary area to Tipperary following protests by local community members who expressed their strong opposition to his presence.

Residents in Tipperary were taken aback when they discovered that Carvin had been placed in their neighborhood. The local community, already aware of his criminal history, responded with anger and concern, especially given the proximity of his new home to areas frequented by children. On the day of the protest, a reporter from the Irish Mirror attempted to approach Carvin’s residence. However, he refused to come to the door, choosing instead to hide inside the kitchen. When a woman, who identified herself as Carvin’s wife, answered the door, she explained that her husband was too frightened to speak publicly. She revealed that Carvin was “scared” and expressed her own fear, stating, “He’s scared. He has a heart problem and I don’t want him dying on me. They’re after frightening the sh**e out of me.”

Following her attempt to speak with her husband, she returned to inform the reporter that Carvin simply wanted to be left alone. Several locals voiced their disgust and concern about his presence in the area. One resident stated, “We don’t want him here. We have children and we don’t want him anywhere near them.” Another added, “He was out walking with his dogs in the park and near the local crèche yesterday. It’s making everyone uncomfortable.”

Carvin’s criminal history dates back to 2014 when he was tried and convicted on two counts of sexual abuse, although he was ultimately convicted of only one. The abuse involved him sexually assaulting his brother’s stepdaughter, Stephanie Phoenix, when she was just seven years old. The assault occurred late at night when Carvin entered her bed and subjected her to sexual abuse. Phoenix chose to waive her anonymity at the time to ensure his name was publicly known. She later described the profound impact the abuse had on her life, stating, “I can’t be near men. If there are too many in the room I have to go back out. I’ve had nightmares about the case too. My childhood was destroyed for a start. I’ve never had a boyfriend. I can’t go near them.”

In her victim impact statement, Phoenix recounted an incident where she refused to approach a male cashier, even though it would have meant a shorter queue, preferring to wait for a female staff member instead. During the trial, Sergeant Liam Donoghue testified that Carvin had climbed into the girl’s bed during the night, beginning to kiss and rub her. He left but returned shortly afterward, forcing her to perform a sexual act. The court heard that Carvin then told her to “get on top,” which she refused, causing him to fall asleep. He was later discovered in her bed by another family member, who ordered him to leave. Judge Patrick McCartan noted that Carvin had belatedly admitted guilt by accepting the jury’s verdict, despite initially refusing to do so. The judge also inquired whether Phoenix wished to meet her abuser through the Restorative Justice Programme; she declined, stating, “I didn’t want to be in a room with him.”

Earlier, in July 2014, Carvin was photographed looking out of a window just yards from a children’s playground in Swords, Co Dublin. His house had been vandalized with graffiti reading “paedophile,” which heightened community outrage. The local residents staged protests outside his home, demanding his removal. Evidence suggests that Carvin has been taking measures to fortify his property, possibly in response to the mounting protests. He has refused to leave his house when approached by tradespeople, only speaking through the window. A Garda spokesman confirmed that officers were investigating criminal damage, including a broken window, which occurred around 10 pm on Monday.

When approached by the Irish Mirror, Carvin refused to comment, only opening his door briefly to say, “I’m not making any comments, none whatsoever.” The community’s frustration continues to grow, with plans for further demonstrations. One local resident, identified only as Michael, expressed his concern: “He’ll move on to another area now, he has to. Most people didn’t know until his house was sprayed and the protest helped raise awareness. There are more protests planned every day. He was recognized and thrown out of a pub recently, so he’s becoming blacklisted in the area. With kids returning to school soon, I believe the word will spread even more.”

Carvin’s criminal record includes a conviction in 2014 for sexually assaulting his brother’s stepdaughter, which resulted in a three-year suspended sentence. The assault involved him climbing into her bed, kissing, and rubbing her, then forcing her to perform a sexual act. The judge described the offense as “at the lower end of the scale” and suggested it appeared to be a one-off incident. Despite his conviction, Carvin has faced ongoing community hostility, with residents determined to see him removed from their neighborhood. The victim, Phoenix, has refused to meet with him since his conviction, and her statement underscores the lasting trauma inflicted by his actions. The community remains vigilant, and the protests are expected to continue as residents seek to ensure their safety and the safety of their children.