Courts / Dublin / Report

12-year sentence for taxi driver who abused girls and "stole their childhoods"

Summary

Thomas Kavanagh, a 66‑year‑old former taxi driver, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for sexually abusing three girls over a period from 1979 to 1992. He began molesting a girl aged five to seven, later raping her until she was 17, and similarly abused two other girls from ages eight and seven. The court heard that Kavanagh manipulated and controlled the victims, describing the abuse as "normal" and providing money for abortions. Victims testified that they felt isolated, confused, and feared disbelief. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to 57 counts, and a jury convicted him of 26 rapes, seven indecent assaults and one sexual assault. He has no prior convictions and accepted the verdict, with no intention to appeal. The sentence was back‑dated to February, when he was taken into custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 12-year sentence for taxi driver who abused girls and "stole their childhoods". Charges or matters: 57 counts of indecently and sexually assaulting three victims at locations in county Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 1979 and 1992 Incident
• 2017-05-22 Publication

Why: She still feels "guilt, hurt, shame and fear" because of the abuse she suffered at his hands. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report