Courts / Kerry / Report
Woman (68) jailed for 'heinous' abuse of two boys
Summary
A 68‑year‑old woman, Josephine McMahon, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting two brothers in Kerry between 1992 and 1996. The younger brother, aged four or five at the time, was abused in the house's bathroom with a wooden spoon, while the older brother, aged eight to twelve, was assaulted on several occasions, including being threatened with a wooden spoon and exposed to the perpetrator's genitals. McMahon pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, noted the maximum sentence for the offence at the time was five years and imposed a suspended 12‑month period, ordering McMahon to remain under probation supervision for a further year after release. The sentence reflected mitigating factors such as her deteriorating health, diabetes and kidney disease, and the need for dialysis. The court heard the victims' impact statements, describing lasting depression, anxiety, addiction issues, and family effects.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman (68) jailed for 'heinous' abuse of two boys. Charges or matters: two sample counts of sexually assaulting two brothers at an address in Kerry on dates between 1992 and 1996. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1992 and 1996 Incident
- 2023-06-26 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: two sample counts of sexually assaulting two brothers at an address in Kerry on dates between 1992 and 1996 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A 68-year-old woman who sexually abused two young boys in a "heinous" way 30 years ago has been jailed for two and a half years. She handed down a sentence of three and a half years and suspended the final 12 months on a number of conditions.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Railway Road
- Kenmare
Topics
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