JOHN COSTELLO FROM CO CAVAN SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN DUBLIN COURT

In a harrowing case that has left a lasting scar on the victim’s life, a woman who endured years of sexual abuse bravely took the stand at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin to confront her abuser, John Costello, a pensioner from Co Cavan. The courtroom was filled with a somber atmosphere as she recounted the traumatic events that had stolen her innocence during her childhood.

John "Sean" Costello, now 79 years old, faced charges of 16 counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault, all committed against the same girl between 1988 and 1990. Despite the severity of the allegations and the evidence presented, Judge Kevin O’Higgins sentenced him to a total of 11 years in prison, but with a significant reduction. The judge suspended all but 18 months of the sentence, meaning that Costello is expected to walk free in September of the following year, a decision that has sparked considerable controversy and outrage.

The victim, who is now 26 years old, described the profound impact the abuse had on her life. She stated, “He took my innocence and childhood from me. Every time I met him on the street, the memories flooded back. I had a difficult teenage years, but I am now determined to move forward with my life.” Her testimony revealed the depth of her suffering, including a suicide attempt in May 2000, which she said was triggered after an encounter with Costello on the street.

According to Garda Sergeant William Carey, who provided testimony during the trial, the victim had a familial connection to Costello, who resided in Hillview, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan. She was asked by Costello to do the Lotto for him, and when she delivered his ticket to his house, he was always friendly, often giving her money and inquiring about her family. However, over time, his demeanor changed. He began asking her for kisses on the cheek and eventually on the mouth. The court heard that a few weeks later, he started to inappropriately touch her, claiming they were good friends and that friends kept secrets.

As the abuse escalated, Costello began raping her, subjecting her to sexual assault on a weekly basis. The victim recounted that after each encounter, she would go to the grounds of a nearby church to cry, trying to compose herself before returning to her sister’s house. One particularly traumatic incident involved him holding her hands over her head while raping her. This event marked a turning point for her, as she realized the abuse was wrong and resolved to put an end to it.

When she returned to his house the following weekend, she confronted him directly, telling him to stop. His reaction was violent; he became furious, grabbed her by the throat, and threatened to harm her family. He then sent her upstairs, and when she struggled in the bedroom, he pushed her onto the bed and tied her hands above her head. Out of fear, she ceased resisting. Costello warned her that he would hurt her family if she ever disclosed what had happened. Afterward, he walked her to the door, reminding her to remember his words and that it was their “special secret.”

On another occasion, she was asked to do the Lotto for him again. She planned to leave the ticket at his door but was caught by him. She again told him that what he was doing was wrong, but she made a deal: as long as he did not harm her sister or her family, she would keep silent. She never returned to his house during her childhood after that.

The woman’s resolve to confront her abuser was only strengthened after a suicide attempt, which her housemate helped her to recover from. With the support of her boyfriend and sisters, she decided to face Costello. She, her housemate, and her sister went to his house, where she asked him if he remembered her. He acknowledged her and called her a “lovely girl.”

She then accused him of abusing and raping her. Costello appeared flustered and admitted to groping her, but she firmly responded that he had raped her on multiple occasions. His response was callous: “At least I did not give you a baby.” Subsequently, he sent her a solicitor’s letter demanding an apology for her accusations. Gardaí later contacted her, and formal proceedings ensued. Costello also made an informal complaint to the police shortly after she made her allegations, which added complexity to the case.

Since his conviction on May 15, Costello has been in custody. Throughout the trial, he denied the charges, although he had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse committed during the same period. The court considered his age and health when sentencing, with Judge O’Higgins noting that “there was a time when a man of his age would not go to jail.” Nonetheless, he emphasized the importance of justice, stating that he would have felt he had “not done his duty” if he did not impose at least a partial custodial sentence.

The judge commended the victim for her courage and resilience, acknowledging her readiness to rebuild her life after the trauma inflicted upon her. He also remarked that Costello’s family members were victims in this case as well. Dressed in a red jacket, red tie, and white shirt, Costello was led away from the court in handcuffs, a stark reminder of the gravity of his crimes.

The court heard that it took the victim many years to come to terms with the brutal abuse she endured. Judge O’Higgins sentenced Costello to 10 years for the rape charges, with all but 18 months suspended, and an additional 15 months for sexual assault charges, along with nine months for the two sexual assault charges he had pleaded guilty to. These sentences were to run concurrently, reflecting the court’s recognition of the severity of his actions and the need for justice.