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"After all these years of being told to keep my mouth shut, the truth is finally coming out": victim commended for reporting historic rape and abuse
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Michael White praised the courage of Elizabeth Williams, who reported sexual abuse by her second cousin John Moran, a 66‑year‑old former resident of Cannakill, Croghan, Co Offaly. Williams, aged 5 to 11 when abused, said the incidents were frequent and normalised in her childhood, and that no action was taken by family or authorities until after her father's death. She had been denied medical care, faced family hostility, and considered suicide. Moran, who was 14 to 21 at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and seven counts of indecent assault. The judge imposed an eight‑year sentence with the final two years suspended, citing mitigating factors such as his ill health and lack of prior convictions, and aggravating factors including the prolonged nature of the abuse and the victim's innocence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "After all these years of being told to keep my mouth shut, the truth is finally coming out": victim commended for reporting historic rape and abuse. Charges or matters: sample charges of one count of rape and seven counts of indecent assault of the child in Croghan on dates between 1968 and 1974. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1968 and 1974 Incident
- 2020-01-20 Publication
Why: He was annoyed because she was wearing trousers and tights and it took him longer to take them off. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Convicted Person
Charges: sample charges of one count of rape and seven counts of indecent assault of the child in Croghan on dates between 1968 and 1974 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: John Moran (66) was today jailed for six years for the rape and indecent assault of the woman, his second cousin, while she was aged between 5 and 11 years old.
Places mentioned
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