JOHN HONAN FROM CLARE AND CO KERRY SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN NORTH KERRY
| Red Rose Database
Co Kerry Clare Sexual Abuser
In August 2014, a disturbing case of child abuse came to light involving John Honan, a 77-year-old former soldier originally from Clare, who was convicted of heinous crimes committed in North Kerry. Honan, who had served in both the Irish and British armies and had worked extensively in construction across the UK, including on projects like the London Underground, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for molesting four siblings over a period spanning from 1989 to 1999.
Honan’s criminal activities came to public attention after one of his victims, who chose to remain anonymous and is referred to as Peter, expressed his strong feelings about the sentence and the justice he believed was deserved. Peter, now an adult, stated emphatically, “I definitely think he should die in prison. Four and a half years isn’t long enough for him. Anyone who abuses a child, it doesn’t matter what age they are or who they are, they should get a life sentence.”
He recounted how he first encountered Honan in their small North Kerry village during the late 1980s, when Honan was constructing a house there. Honan, who was living in the UK but returned to Kerry periodically, had a caravan on the building site, which he used as a means to lure the children into his manipulative schemes. Peter explained that Honan’s abuse began subtly but escalated over a two-year period. “We used to go back helping him on the site when we were younger. With me, it started with him taking me into the caravan,” he said.
Initially, Honan would give Peter massages, claiming that such behavior was normal and common in households. Over time, the abuse intensified, culminating in Peter being forced to perform oral sex on Honan at the age of 13 in 1989. Peter detailed how the abuse extended beyond himself to his sister, and to a lesser extent, his other siblings, who were around 12 or 13 years old when the abuse began. Honan’s manipulative tactics included giving gifts, alcohol, cigarettes, and even bringing home pornographic magazines and clothing to entice the children into silence and compliance.
Throughout the ordeal, the siblings kept their suffering secret, convinced by Honan that his actions were normal and part of growing up. “At the time of the abuse, no one discussed anything because he had us convinced that everything was quite normal, that it was all part of growing up. He was so smart about it,” Peter revealed. It was only years later that the siblings decided to come forward and report Honan to the authorities. They approached the Gardaí, which led to a court case that spanned several weeks.
Honan maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. His trial, held in May, resulted in a guilty verdict on 27 counts of child abuse involving the siblings. On the day of sentencing, Judge Ray Fullam handed down a four and a half-year prison term, bringing some measure of justice for the victims.
Despite the conviction, Honan has never issued an apology to his victims. Peter described his demeanor in court as devoid of remorse, stating, “Inside in court he had no remorse, nothing. We are still getting comments that we are all liars, that we are this that and the other. That we will get our comeuppance.” The victims endured additional trauma during the trial, with Honan’s legal team attempting to discredit their testimonies, claiming they were fabricated.
Peter expressed satisfaction with the sentence and extended gratitude to the Gardaí, especially Detective Garda Paul Walsh, for their relentless efforts in bringing Honan to justice. However, he also shared the ongoing struggles he faces as a result of the abuse. “As the years went on, my confidence was gone. My education went out the door because my concentration went. Even now, I would have to go into a cubicle and lock the door. I would just freeze up,” he admitted.
He further explained that the trauma continues to affect his daily life, making him overly cautious and protective of his own children. “I have two children and I would be very over-protective of them. If I bring them to a playground, I am constantly watching them.”
Honan’s legal team, led by senior counsel David Sutton, announced plans to appeal the conviction, indicating that the case was far from over. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and highlights the importance of vigilance and justice in cases of child abuse, especially involving trusted individuals within small communities like those in Clare and North Kerry.
Honan’s criminal activities came to public attention after one of his victims, who chose to remain anonymous and is referred to as Peter, expressed his strong feelings about the sentence and the justice he believed was deserved. Peter, now an adult, stated emphatically, “I definitely think he should die in prison. Four and a half years isn’t long enough for him. Anyone who abuses a child, it doesn’t matter what age they are or who they are, they should get a life sentence.”
He recounted how he first encountered Honan in their small North Kerry village during the late 1980s, when Honan was constructing a house there. Honan, who was living in the UK but returned to Kerry periodically, had a caravan on the building site, which he used as a means to lure the children into his manipulative schemes. Peter explained that Honan’s abuse began subtly but escalated over a two-year period. “We used to go back helping him on the site when we were younger. With me, it started with him taking me into the caravan,” he said.
Initially, Honan would give Peter massages, claiming that such behavior was normal and common in households. Over time, the abuse intensified, culminating in Peter being forced to perform oral sex on Honan at the age of 13 in 1989. Peter detailed how the abuse extended beyond himself to his sister, and to a lesser extent, his other siblings, who were around 12 or 13 years old when the abuse began. Honan’s manipulative tactics included giving gifts, alcohol, cigarettes, and even bringing home pornographic magazines and clothing to entice the children into silence and compliance.
Throughout the ordeal, the siblings kept their suffering secret, convinced by Honan that his actions were normal and part of growing up. “At the time of the abuse, no one discussed anything because he had us convinced that everything was quite normal, that it was all part of growing up. He was so smart about it,” Peter revealed. It was only years later that the siblings decided to come forward and report Honan to the authorities. They approached the Gardaí, which led to a court case that spanned several weeks.
Honan maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. His trial, held in May, resulted in a guilty verdict on 27 counts of child abuse involving the siblings. On the day of sentencing, Judge Ray Fullam handed down a four and a half-year prison term, bringing some measure of justice for the victims.
Despite the conviction, Honan has never issued an apology to his victims. Peter described his demeanor in court as devoid of remorse, stating, “Inside in court he had no remorse, nothing. We are still getting comments that we are all liars, that we are this that and the other. That we will get our comeuppance.” The victims endured additional trauma during the trial, with Honan’s legal team attempting to discredit their testimonies, claiming they were fabricated.
Peter expressed satisfaction with the sentence and extended gratitude to the Gardaí, especially Detective Garda Paul Walsh, for their relentless efforts in bringing Honan to justice. However, he also shared the ongoing struggles he faces as a result of the abuse. “As the years went on, my confidence was gone. My education went out the door because my concentration went. Even now, I would have to go into a cubicle and lock the door. I would just freeze up,” he admitted.
He further explained that the trauma continues to affect his daily life, making him overly cautious and protective of his own children. “I have two children and I would be very over-protective of them. If I bring them to a playground, I am constantly watching them.”
Honan’s legal team, led by senior counsel David Sutton, announced plans to appeal the conviction, indicating that the case was far from over. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and highlights the importance of vigilance and justice in cases of child abuse, especially involving trusted individuals within small communities like those in Clare and North Kerry.