Courts / Limerick / Report

"Let me be clear, you did not win": victim addresses rapist in court

Date
2018-11-19

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Leona O'Callaghan, 37, addressed the court and said that Patrick O'Dea, 51, who is also known as "Whacker", raped her when she was 13 in 1994 and 1995. O'Dea pleaded guilty to sexual assault and rape. O'Dea isolated O'Callaghan from friends, manipulated her, and told her that the bleeding was a sign of virginity being broken. O'Callaghan described the physical pain, the use of a basin of ice, and the long‑term mental anguish, including self‑harm and suicidal attempts. She said the abuse affected her later relationships and her children. Judge Deirdre Murphy sentenced O'Dea to 18½ years, suspended the last 18 months on condition of treatment, and imposed a three‑year post‑release supervision order. O'Callaghan concluded that O'Dea did not win.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Let me be clear, you did not win": victim addresses rapist in court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

1994 and 1995 Incident
Christmas Day 2015 Other
2018-11-19 Publication

Why: Ms O'Callaghan recalled to gardaí that he told her she had bled because she was a virgin and he promised it would not hurt as much the next time. CNI source report