JOHN RYAN, IRISH HORSE TRADER FROM CARLOW, SENTENCED IN SWEDEN FOR RAPE OF TEENAGE GIRLS IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM

In a significant legal development, John Ryan, a 62-year-old Irish national originally from Carlow, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in Sweden for the heinous crimes of raping two teenage girls. Ryan, who has since relocated to Donegal, was found guilty of assaulting the minors during separate incidents that took place in 2003 and 2004.

The crimes occurred on remote roads in Holland and Belgium, where Ryan committed the assaults in the back of his horse box. The victims, both teenage girls, displayed remarkable bravery during the court proceedings, with one of them recounting her experience, saying, “I couldn’t do anything because he was so strong — it was terrifying.”

The Swedish court heard that Ryan’s actions left lasting trauma on the victims, and he was ordered to pay €21,000 to one of the girls and €15,000 to the other as part of the sentencing. Prosecutor Tom Svensson highlighted the courage of the victims, noting that they were very brave throughout the ordeal. He also mentioned that Ryan was emotional during the court proceedings, even crying as the victims gave their testimonies.

Further details revealed that Ryan had been traveling across Europe using a false passport, which contributed to the authorities’ efforts to apprehend him. Swedish law enforcement, along with Gardaí from Ireland, played a crucial role in bringing Ryan to justice. The case underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling serious crimes committed across borders, and the court’s decision marks a significant step in delivering justice for the victims involved.