Courts / Louth / Report

"It is not the dead we should be afraid of, but the living": victims tell court of alleged IRA man's abuse

Summary

Seamus Marley, 45, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to charges of sexual assault and anally raping two teenage boys in County Louth in the early 1990s. After a six‑day trial, the jury found him guilty on six counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape. The case centred on a large home owned by a "dedicated republican" that was used as a "safe house" for IRA volunteers. Marley was described by a character reference from his pastor as an "excellent Christian" with a "charitable spirit". The older victim reported being groped and anally raped by Marley, who warned him not to speak of the abuse. The younger victim described repeated groping, forced masturbation and an anally rape in a tent near the house. Marley had no prior convictions. The judge remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing for the following Thursday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "It is not the dead we should be afraid of, but the living": victims tell court of alleged IRA man's abuse. Charges or matters: charges of sexual assaulting and anally raping two boys in Co. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 2019-04-29 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report