ROBERT KEOGHAN FROM TRAMORE AND CO. WATERFORD JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE WEST OF IRELAND

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Robert Keoghan, a 50-year-old man from Corbally Upper, Tramore, Co. Waterford, was convicted of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of young boys across two counties in the West of Ireland. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing history, not only of his crimes but also of the abuse he endured from members of the Franciscan order from the tender age of 12.

Keoghan pleaded guilty to eight separate counts of indecent assault committed between 1969 and 1972. The offences involved boys aged between 8 and 16, and the court was told that his actions took place while he was attached to a monastery in the western region of Ireland. The judge, Carroll Moran, sentenced Keoghan to two years in prison for each of the charges, with all sentences to run concurrently, effectively meaning he would serve two years in total.

During the trial, it was disclosed that when the father of one of Keoghan’s victims raised concerns with the monastery’s principal about what had happened to his son, the monastery authorities responded by consulting the Superior General of the Franciscan order. Keoghan was subsequently told that he would not be transferred immediately but was instructed to go on a retreat. It was during this retreat that a priest, upon hearing Keoghan’s confession, asked him for details of the abuse. Shockingly, the priest then proceeded to sexually assault Keoghan, an account that the judge described as “incredible.”

Detective Garda David Burke, who investigated the case, confirmed that he believed Keoghan’s account of being abused during confession. Keoghan also revealed that after this incident, he was moved to the Midlands, where he continued to commit further acts of abuse against two more boys. These additional offences led to a conviction at Kilbeggan District Court on January 26, and Keoghan is currently serving an 18-month sentence at Wheatfield Prison.

In 1977, Keoghan was relieved of his vows as a Franciscan Brother. Following this, he found employment working in various hotels, primarily in cleaning roles. His work took him to different locations before he returned home to care for his ailing mother, who has since passed away. His family, including his mother, attempted to support him by encouraging him to find a partner, and he became engaged at one point. However, the relationship did not culminate in marriage, and Keoghan later acknowledged that he was homosexual, a fact that conflicted with his religious beliefs.

Keoghan expressed feelings of shame and self-hatred in court, stating, “My homosexuality does not rest easy with my religion. I hate things about myself. I feel very dirty and I pray all the time for the victims I abused.” He also shared that since leaving the Franciscan order in 1977, he felt a sense of relief and that the thoughts of abusing others had ceased. He emphasized that he had not committed any further offences since that time.

Despite his limited education—he could read but struggled with writing—Keoghan worked primarily as a cook within Franciscan monasteries and later at Cork Regional Technical College. His family’s attitude towards him was harsh; they reportedly wished he would “drop dead” and considered him a disgrace. Keoghan admitted to feeling that he had brought shame upon his family and regarded himself as a “bad person.”

The investigation detailed the nature of the abuse, which involved Keoghan approaching boys on the road, making suggestive remarks, and exposing himself. He repeatedly attempted to coax the boys into touching him or masturbating him. The victims, often confused and frightened, tried to avoid him, but Keoghan persisted despite interruptions from passers-by. The first complaint was made in 1998 by a man who recounted that, when he was 11 or 12, Keoghan had lured him to the monastery with offers of lemonade and biscuits. During the incident, Keoghan had placed the boy’s hand on his genitals but quickly covered up when someone entered the room. The boy reported the incident to his father, who then contacted the school principal, leading to an official report.

Many of the victims struggled with the trauma in later life, fearing that Keoghan might have had access to other children. A psychologist’s report described Keoghan as “low risk,” and his legal counsel, John O’Donnell, acknowledged his disturbing history but argued that he was not inherently a “bad person.” The case has highlighted the dark history of abuse within religious institutions and the lasting impact on victims and their families.