Courts / Cavan / Report
Ex-Olympic swimming coach Derry O'Rourke found guilty of raping teenage girl
Summary
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has convicted Derry O'Rourke, a former Irish Olympic swimming coach, of raping and sexually abusing a teenage girl over three decades ago. O'Rourke, aged 78 and resident in Cavan, had pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault alleged to have occurred at a school between October 1989 and June 1990, when the complainant was aged 13 to 14 years. The trial judge directed the jury to acquit O'Rourke of four charges, leaving 12 offences for consideration. The jury unanimously convicted him on all remaining counts following five hours and 27 minutes of deliberations. Justice Melanie Greally remanded O'Rourke in custody pending sentencing on 30 July. O'Rourke has previous convictions for sexual offences dating back to 1998, including rape and indecent assault involving multiple victims. A victim impact statement has been ordered for the sentencing hearing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ex-Olympic swimming coach Derry O'Rourke found guilty of raping teenage girl. Charges or matters: one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault in the school on dates between October 1989 and June 1990; 29 offences involving 11 girls on dates between 1976 and 1992; two charges of rape and two counts of indecent assault on dates from 1975 to 1978 in relation to the victim. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 1989 Incident
- June 1990 Incident
- July 30 Adjournment
- January 1998 Incident
- August 2000 Incident
- July 1970 Incident
- December 1992 Incident
- January 2005 Incident
- March 13, 2000 Incident
- 1976 and 1992 Incident
- 1975 to 1978 Incident
- 2024-07-18 Publication
Why: When asked if she had told anybody about this continuous behaviour, she said: "No, because I thought it was legitimate. CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault in the school on dates between October 1989 and June 1990; 29 offences involving 11 girls on dates between 1976 and 1992; two charges of rape and two counts of indecent assault on dates from 1975 to 1978 in relation to the victim (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: O'Rourke is a convicted rapist, having been jailed for 12 years in January 1998 after he pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 29 offences involving 11 girls on dates between 1976 and 1992. In August 2000, O'Rourke was sentenced to four years in prison on 19 charges involving six girls.; Ms Justice Melanie Greally remanded O'Rourke into custody for sentencing on July 30.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Court refuses to reduce sentence for brothel keeper caught with child abuse material
- 'Wouldn't be out of place in a Tarantino movie': Lunney kidnappers challenge sentences for 'animalistic' torture and abduction
- 'A shocking, shocking tragedy': man must first serve six-year term for trying to murder father before starting life sentence for murdering mother, judge rules
- 'We never expected him to be grateful. But we never expected murder': man apologies to family for murdering mother and trying to murder father
- No jail for passenger who sexually assaulted Ryanair cabin crew member
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request