Courts / Cavan / Report
"Unbelievable courage" of siblings who reported sexual abuse suffered 60 years ago
Summary
At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Michael White commended two siblings from Arva, County Cavan for their "unbelievable courage" in reporting childhood sexual abuse to gardaí in 2017, more than five decades after the offences occurred. John Joe Kiernan, aged 86 and from Forthill, Arva, pleaded guilty to six sample counts of indecent assault against one victim between 1958 and 1963, five sample counts against his younger sister during 1959 to 1963, and rape of the girl between 1959 and 1964. The offences took place on or near the family farmland where Kiernan worked as a labourer. Both victims, now in their sixties, provided impact statements describing lasting trauma. The judge described certain threats made by Kiernan as "spine chilling" and noted the brutality of the offending. Kiernan had been previously imprisoned in 2005 for similar offences. Sentencing was adjourned pending further consideration.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Unbelievable courage" of siblings who reported sexual abuse suffered 60 years ago. Charges or matters: six sample counts of indecently assaulting one boy between 1958 and 1963 and five sample counts of indecently assaulting the boy's younger sister between 1959 and 1963. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1958 and 1963 Incident
- 1959 and 1963 Other
- 1959 and 1964 Other
- 1963 and 1973 Incident
- 2018-10-15 Publication
Why: Her father told Kiernan to take her inside because it was freezing cold. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: six sample counts of indecently assaulting one boy between 1958 and 1963 and five sample counts of indecently assaulting the boy's younger sister between 1959 and 1963 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The father of two was previously jailed in 2005 for indecent assaults on three young children on dates between 1963 and 1973.; Mr Justice White adjourned sentencing to Monday next.
Places mentioned
Topics
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