JOHN ROSSI'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN BELFAST: VICTIM SPEAKS OUT AFTER 30 YEARS
In a deeply distressing case that has spanned over three decades, Suzanne Connolly, a woman from Dublin and a graduate of law, has come forward to share her harrowing experience of abuse at the hands of Belfast businessman John Rossi.Her story sheds light on a tragic failure of the justice and social systems that, despite her early reports, did not lead to immediate action against Rossi.
Ms.
Connolly, who was only 14 years old when she first disclosed her abuse, recounted how she had informed the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) about her adoptive father, John Rossi, a well-known figure in Belfast, who had repeatedly raped and assaulted her.
Rossi was part of a family that adopted six children, including Suzanne, and owned a local ice cream and chip shop in north Belfast, a business that has since changed hands.
The family resided in a spacious home on Malone Road, a prominent area in Belfast.
Now aged 47, Suzanne Connolly has spoken openly about her ongoing struggle with the trauma and her contemplation of whether to pursue further action against the authorities for their failure to prosecute Rossi more than 30 years ago.
Her voice joins a chorus of victims demanding accountability, especially after the recent conviction of Rossi.
During a court hearing, Mr.
Justice Kerr expressed his bewilderment at the lack of action taken in 1987, despite Rossi’s admission of abuse in front of a social worker.
The judge remarked that it was “extremely hard to understand why no action was taken” at that time, highlighting the systemic failures that allowed Rossi to continue his predatory behavior.
Rossi, now 80 years old, was found guilty of abusing Suzanne Connolly from 1982 to 1985, a period during which she was between 11 and 14 years old.
The abuse took place in various locations, including the family home in south Belfast, a holiday residence in Donegal, and even in the family car.
The Crown’s barrister, Kieran Murphy, described Rossi’s conduct as “paedophilic child abuse within a family setting,” emphasizing that the assaults occurred “on an almost daily basis” and that Rossi would sometimes reward Suzanne for her compliance with sexual favors.
Following her initial disclosures, Suzanne was placed in a children’s home.
In July 1985, she confided in a staff member and later provided a police statement.
Despite her repeated efforts to seek justice, Rossi was not charged at the time, even after making admissions to a social worker.
It was only in 2016 that the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) revisited the case, leading to Rossi’s eventual arrest and prosecution.
In June 2018, Rossi pleaded guilty to 18 counts of indecent assault, yet he has shown no remorse and continues to blame his victim.
In an interview with the Irish News, Suzanne Connolly, who has waived her right to anonymity, expressed her profound disappointment with the justice system.
She described it as “a degrading process which fails the most vulnerable,” criticizing the fact that Rossi received only a five-year sentence, of which he will serve half, for what she calls “repeated, prolonged, paedophilic abuse.” Ms.
Connolly emphasized that her abuse was rooted in a desire for power and control, exacerbated by societal patriarchal norms that led to her being disbelieved while Rossi was believed.
She lamented the common tendency in such cases for victims to be dismissed as “he said, she said,” and highlighted that her conviction was only possible because Rossi chose to plead guilty.
She hopes her story will inspire others to come forward and seek help, offering a message of hope and resilience.
She concluded her remarks by urging victims of abuse to speak out and seek support, reassuring them that recovery is possible.
The current owners of Rossi’s establishment on Atlantic Avenue in north Belfast, where Rossi’s family once operated, have no connection to the Rossi family, and the case remains a stark reminder of the importance of justice and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
