TOM DALY ENNIS SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR TEEN GIRL ABUSE
| Red Rose Database
Ennis Sexual Abuser
In October 2018, Tom Daly, a taxi driver from Ennis, was sentenced to four years in prison for a series of sexual offenses committed against a teenage girl over a span of four years. The case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court, where Judge Gerald Keys delivered a stern judgment, highlighting the gravity of Daly’s actions.
Judge Keys stated that Tom Daly, aged 57 and residing at Abbeyville, Clare Road, Ennis, had systematically groomed and sexually abused the girl, who was between the ages of 14 and 17 from 1996 to 1999. The judge emphasized that Daly’s conduct was driven by his own sexual gratification, and he had exploited his position of trust as a family friend to carry out these heinous acts.
During the sentencing, Judge Keys revealed that he would suspend the final six months of Daly’s four-year sentence, offering a glimmer of hope for his future rehabilitation. Despite this, the judge was unequivocal in condemning Daly’s actions, noting that he continues to deny the verdict of the jury and maintains his innocence, showing a lack of remorse and an apparent failure to grasp the severity of his misconduct.
Judge Keys underscored the profound and lasting impact Daly’s abuse has had on the victim, who is now 36 years old and a school teacher. The victim’s statement painted a harrowing picture of her life, describing how Daly’s ‘sick sexual needs’ tore her family apart, causing her parents to lose their young daughter and leaving her with deep emotional scars.
She recounted that her life was severely disrupted by Daly’s actions, which she described as the work of a “sick predator.” The woman detailed her long journey through therapy to recover from the toxic years of abuse, and expressed how her parents still carry guilt and responsibility for what happened. She shared that her trust in men was shattered, leading her to struggle with an eating disorder for over 15 years and turn to substance abuse as a means of coping. Her battles with depression and suicidal thoughts have been ongoing, and she described feeling crippled by fear because of Daly’s actions.
Garda Colin Egan provided details of the abuse, stating that Daly assaulted the girl at his former homes in Connolly and Ennis, as well as at his mobile home. The offenses included groping and performing oral sex on the girl without her consent. Some of these assaults reportedly occurred while Daly’s family was present in the house, adding to the trauma experienced by the victim.
Tom Daly was arrested on September 16th, 2015, at Ennis Garda Station, where he was interviewed by Sergeant Sandra Heelan and Garda Egan. During the interviews, Daly repeatedly denied the allegations, even comparing the accusations to scenes from “50 Shades of Grey.” When questioned about the victim’s statement, he insisted that he would never behave in such a manner, even with his wife.
Following the sentencing, the victim expressed her relief, stating that “justice has been served” and encouraging other victims of sexual abuse to come forward. She reflected on the lengthy process of seeking justice, acknowledging the difficulty but affirming that it was ultimately worthwhile. She emphasized the prevalence of sexual abuse in the country and the importance of the justice system in holding offenders accountable.
She described the experience of reliving her trauma in court as horrific and frightening, noting Daly’s apparent lack of remorse or conscience. The victim firmly believes that Daly perceives himself as innocent, describing his actions as a sickness. She expressed confidence that the court’s verdict and sentencing send a clear message to other potential offenders that the justice system will pursue them.
Judge Keys back-dated Daly’s sentence to July 24th, the date he was first taken into custody, reaffirming the court’s stance on the severity of the crimes committed in Ennis.
Judge Keys stated that Tom Daly, aged 57 and residing at Abbeyville, Clare Road, Ennis, had systematically groomed and sexually abused the girl, who was between the ages of 14 and 17 from 1996 to 1999. The judge emphasized that Daly’s conduct was driven by his own sexual gratification, and he had exploited his position of trust as a family friend to carry out these heinous acts.
During the sentencing, Judge Keys revealed that he would suspend the final six months of Daly’s four-year sentence, offering a glimmer of hope for his future rehabilitation. Despite this, the judge was unequivocal in condemning Daly’s actions, noting that he continues to deny the verdict of the jury and maintains his innocence, showing a lack of remorse and an apparent failure to grasp the severity of his misconduct.
Judge Keys underscored the profound and lasting impact Daly’s abuse has had on the victim, who is now 36 years old and a school teacher. The victim’s statement painted a harrowing picture of her life, describing how Daly’s ‘sick sexual needs’ tore her family apart, causing her parents to lose their young daughter and leaving her with deep emotional scars.
She recounted that her life was severely disrupted by Daly’s actions, which she described as the work of a “sick predator.” The woman detailed her long journey through therapy to recover from the toxic years of abuse, and expressed how her parents still carry guilt and responsibility for what happened. She shared that her trust in men was shattered, leading her to struggle with an eating disorder for over 15 years and turn to substance abuse as a means of coping. Her battles with depression and suicidal thoughts have been ongoing, and she described feeling crippled by fear because of Daly’s actions.
Garda Colin Egan provided details of the abuse, stating that Daly assaulted the girl at his former homes in Connolly and Ennis, as well as at his mobile home. The offenses included groping and performing oral sex on the girl without her consent. Some of these assaults reportedly occurred while Daly’s family was present in the house, adding to the trauma experienced by the victim.
Tom Daly was arrested on September 16th, 2015, at Ennis Garda Station, where he was interviewed by Sergeant Sandra Heelan and Garda Egan. During the interviews, Daly repeatedly denied the allegations, even comparing the accusations to scenes from “50 Shades of Grey.” When questioned about the victim’s statement, he insisted that he would never behave in such a manner, even with his wife.
Following the sentencing, the victim expressed her relief, stating that “justice has been served” and encouraging other victims of sexual abuse to come forward. She reflected on the lengthy process of seeking justice, acknowledging the difficulty but affirming that it was ultimately worthwhile. She emphasized the prevalence of sexual abuse in the country and the importance of the justice system in holding offenders accountable.
She described the experience of reliving her trauma in court as horrific and frightening, noting Daly’s apparent lack of remorse or conscience. The victim firmly believes that Daly perceives himself as innocent, describing his actions as a sickness. She expressed confidence that the court’s verdict and sentencing send a clear message to other potential offenders that the justice system will pursue them.
Judge Keys back-dated Daly’s sentence to July 24th, the date he was first taken into custody, reaffirming the court’s stance on the severity of the crimes committed in Ennis.