JOHN O’CONNELL SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN CASTLEISLAND AND KILLALY

In a case that has shocked the community of Castleisland and Killaly, a local farmer and former Kerry County Council employee, John O’Connell, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of eight years at the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee. The sentence was handed down following a harrowing trial that revealed the extent of his alleged abuse over several years.

O’Connell, aged 59 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty last March by a jury on 29 counts of sexual assault involving four young girls. The verdict was reached by a majority after an 11-day trial that exposed the disturbing details of the abuse. The court heard that the assaults took place between 2003 and 2008, a period during which the victims, aged between 10 and 14, endured severe trauma and embarrassment. All four victims were deeply affected by the abuse, and the court acknowledged the emotional toll it had taken on them.

During the sentencing, Judge Carroll Moran described the case as particularly egregious due to the multiple incidents of assault over a prolonged period. He emphasized that O’Connell, who was a trusted figure in the community and a friend of some of the victims’ parents, exploited his position of trust to commit these heinous acts. The judge pointed out that the offences occurred at a time when society was increasingly aware of the gravity of child sexual abuse and the societal condemnation such acts attract.

The victims, now in their late teens and early twenties, have struggled to come to terms with their experiences. Only one of them was able to read a victim impact statement in court during a previous hearing. The charges against O’Connell included seventeen related to one victim, eight to another, three to a third, and a single charge involving the fourth girl. The assaults took place in various locations, including a county council van used by O’Connell to read water meters, as well as in the victims’ homes and his own residence.

Garda Emma Mullane from Tralee provided insight into the case, revealing that one victim, who endured seventeen assaults, was unable to attend court or submit a victim impact statement due to the trauma. Her abuse reportedly began when she was in late primary school and continued into secondary school, with the situation escalating to a point where she became disruptive at home.

Following the court proceedings, one of the victims publicly urged others who have suffered similar abuse to come forward and report their experiences to the Garda. Vera O’Leary, director of the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, expressed her admiration for the bravery of the four young women who broke their silence. She stated that society owes a debt of gratitude to these victims for their courage in seeking justice and hoped their actions would inspire others to come forward. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Castleisland and Killaly, highlighting the importance of vigilance and support for victims of sexual abuse.