Courts / Kerry / Report

Boys 'forever scarred' by henious abuse at hands of woman

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 9 June 2023, 69‑year‑old Josephine McMahon pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault against two brothers aged four to five and eight to twelve, committed between 1992 and 1996 at her house in Kenmare, Co Kerry. McMahon admitted using a wooden spoon to assault the younger boy in a bathroom, threatening him and later assaulting him again in a bath, and a third assault in a bedroom. She also exposed herself to the older brother and threatened him with the spoon. The younger brother's victim impact statement described ongoing depression, anxiety, addiction, suicidal thoughts and lasting shame, while the older brother cited deep emotional scars and family impact. McMahon, a wheelchair user with diabetes and kidney disease, has no prior convictions and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register. The case was adjourned to 26 June for sentencing, with a request for a suspended sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Boys 'forever scarred' by henious abuse at hands of woman. Charges or matters: two sample counts of sexually assaulting two brothers at an address in Munster on dates between 1992 and 1996. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 26 Adjournment
• 1992 and 1996 Incident
• 2023-06-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report