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"A lion without a roar": victim describes abuse by former Church of Ireland lay worker
Summary
Patrick O'Brien, a former Church of Ireland lay worker, was sentenced for raping and molesting 14 boys over 30 years. He pleaded guilty to 48 counts of indecent assault, including anal penetration, and three counts of sexual assault between 1977 and 2010 at locations such as Kildare, Westmeath, a boat in Loughrea, and St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. O'Brien, aged 76, had a prior one‑year suspended sentence for a 1989 sex assault. The sentencing hearing, held over two days, included victim impact reports from 14 men, some of whom described long‑term emotional and social harm. The court noted O'Brien's guilty plea, his completion of 312 hours of group psychotherapy, and his voluntary apology. He was remanded in continuing custody until the next hearing on 10 November. The victims remain anonymous. The case highlights the prolonged abuse and its lasting effects on the survivors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "A lion without a roar": victim describes abuse by former Church of Ireland lay worker. Charges or matters: 48 sample counts of indecent assault, including various instances of anal penetration, and three counts of sexual assault of the boys between 1977 and 2010 at numerous locations throughout the state including Kildare, Westmeath, on a boat in Loughrea in Co Galway and at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin where he worked as a volunteer. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2014 Incident
- April 2014 Incident
- November 10 Adjournment
- 1977 and 2010 Incident
- 2016-10-19 Publication
Why: Another victim said he never wanted to have children because he didn't want to be responsible for them after the abuse he suffered as a young boy. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: 48 sample counts of indecent assault, including various instances of anal penetration, and three counts of sexual assault of the boys between 1977 and 2010 at numerous locations throughout the state including Kildare, Westmeath, on a boat in Loughrea in Co Galway and at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin where he worked as a volunteer (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) A former lay worker with the Church of Ireland will be sentenced next month for the rape and molestation of 14 young boys over the course of 30 years. She remanded O'Brien in continuing custody to November 10, next for sentence.; She remanded O'Brien in continuing custody to November 10, next for sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin District Court
- Knocklyon Road
- Dublin
- cycled to his local garda station
Topics
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