john farrell Rapist

May 2008 Sick pensioner jailed for rape & abuse of sisters from age 6 A PERVERT pensioner was jailed for seven years yesterday for raping two sisters – one of whom claimed he attacked her “hundreds of times”.

Evil John “Bob” Farrell, 70, of New Oak Estate, Co Carlow, sexually assaulted the girls in his home and told one of them that if they told anyone their mother would be taken away.

Detective Garda Maria McWey told the court the victims waived their right to anonymity and wanted Farrell named in media reports.

He pleaded guilty to raping one victim and to four counts of indecent assault on both of them between 1976 and 1982.

Farrell apologised from the witness box to the victims for his crimes against them.

Mr Justice Paul Carney directed Farrell be registered as a sex offender and said the multitude of assaults, the disparity of age and breach of trust were major aggravating factors against him.

His guilty pleas and remorse were the only mitigating matters he could find in Farrell’s favour.

Det Gda McWey told Mr Coffey Farrell began sexually assaulting one of the girls in 1976 shortly after she made her Holy Communion.

He then frequently raped her from the ages of six to eight, mainly in his kitchen where he would put her kneeling on the floor with her head down.

Det Gda McWey said he also raped her in a bedroom, a car and once in a nearby field when she was out collecting rushes to make St Brigid’s crosses.

He also sexually abused her six-year-old sister.

Both women read out emotional victim impact statements in court in which one of them accused their families of “brushing this matter under the carpet for years”.

The now 38-year-old woman alleged she came forward to her relations but they ignored her claims after another uncle said it was “family business”.

She told Mr Justice Carney that due to the proceedings she suffered from depression, mood swings and vomiting and felt Farrell “dragged it out at every opportunity”.

She said: “Who cares about the nightmares I had and still do?

“He told me if I told my mam she would be taken away from me.

“She was in the end so what have I got to lose.” The 32-year-old woman said she had attempted suicide several times because of the assaults and was still attending counselling.

She described meeting Farrell on the street after the allegations came to light, saying he waved at her and pulled a face.

She dismissed Farrell’s apology saying he was only pleading guilty to get a lighter sentence.

She added: “I know he is not sorry for what he did to me.

“Paedophilia is not a disease, therefore, it can never be treated or cured.” Det Gda McWey told the court the older sister went to gardai in February 2003 and Farrell was arrested in December that year.

He initially admitted he fondled the girls but denied rape but later said he tried to have sexual intercourse with one but was unable.

Defence Counsel, Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, said Farrell was a widower with three children.

His wife died at 46 from a major drinking problem and he suffers from arthritis.

He added Farrell had worked in various menial jobs and was now on the state pension.

I know he is not sorry for what he did.

Paedophilia isn’t a disease ..it can never be cured