DAINGEAN, CO OFFALY MAN JOSEPH CAMPBELL JAILED FOR RAPING 11-YEAR-OLD BOY
Joseph Campbell was jailed for eight and a half years today after being convicted of raping Devin O’Donnell, who was 11 years old at the time.Campbell, who maintains his innocence and does not accept the verdict, was found guilty of section 4 rape – anal rape – which occurred at Devin’s home in October 2017.
The court heard that Campbell, the father of Devin's step-mother, had also committed other sexual offences, including recording a spreadsheet containing sensitive information on 10,000 police officers and PSNI employees.
Devin read from his victim impact statement, stating that Campbell’s actions changed how he experienced the world, planting silence and shame inside him.
The sentence was initially set at 11 years but was reduced to 10, with the final 18 months suspended, considering Campbell’s mental health difficulties and low risk of reoffending.
He is ordered to have no contact with Devin during his time in prison and for five years after his release, alongside concurrent sentences for sexual assault.
The court emphasized the breach of trust, especially as Campbell was a grandfather figure in the family.
The case also included details of Campbell’s denial, his mental health diagnosis, and testimonies from his family members who described him as respectful and caring.
