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"This should not be my shame to carry. It should be his": woman faces abuser in court

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 64‑year‑old auctioneer, Noel Kelleher, was found guilty of six counts of rape, three of sexual assault, three of oral rape and one of attempted oral rape against a victim aged 12 to 14 between June 1991 and August 1992. The jury acquitted him of 16 other counts of rape, indecent assault and sexual assault. The victim, who waived anonymity, described the abuse as beginning when she was 12, involving rape, sexual assault and forced oral sex in two office locations, and ending shortly before her 14th birthday. She recounted attempts to kill herself, post‑natal depression, psychiatric care and repeated suicide attempts. In her victim impact statement she said the shame should be Kelleher's, not hers, and that the abuse had ruined her education, relationships and mental health.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "This should not be my shame to carry. It should be his": woman faces abuser in court. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• June 1991 Incident
• August 1992 Incident
• February 26 Other
• 2018-02-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report