Courts / Cavan / Report
Woman tells court of 'brutalisation' at hands of ex-Olympic swim coach
Summary
A man has been convicted at the Central Criminal Court of raping and sexually assaulting a schoolgirl in Cavan during the late 1980s. Derry O'Rourke, aged 78, of Virginia Road, Cavan, was found guilty of one count of rape and eleven counts of indecent assault following a six-day trial. The offences occurred between October 1989 and June 1990 when the complainant was aged thirteen to fourteen years old. O'Rourke, a former Olympic swimming coach, had pleaded not guilty to one rape charge and fifteen indecent assault charges. The court heard he singled the girl out during school swimming sessions and subjected her to abuse under the guise of conducting muscle checks in a room adjoining the pool, before raping her in a boiler room in September 1990. At sentencing hearing, the now forty-eight-year-old victim delivered an impact statement describing the "brutalisation" she suffered and its lasting effects on her life. Justice Melanie Greally remanded O'Rourke in custody pending sentencing. The prosecution submitted the case warrants a sentence of between fifteen years and life imprisonment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman tells court of 'brutalisation' at hands of ex-Olympic swim coach. Charges or matters: one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault in a Leinster school the girl attended on dates between October 1989 and June 1990; one count of rape and 11 charges of sexual assault which involved touching the child's breast and digitally penetrating her vagina; 19 charges of indecent assault of six further children between 1970 and 1992 and was sentenced to a concurrent term of four years. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- October 1989 Incident
- June 1990 Incident
- March 2007 Incident
- March 13, 2000 Adjournment
- September 1990 Incident
- August 2022 Incident
- 1970 to 1992 Incident
- 1976 and 1992 Incident
- 1970 and 1992 Incident
- 2024-07-30 Publication
Why: Sgt Kelly said the woman thought it was "legitimate" because he was the coach and he was in a position of authority. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault in a Leinster school the girl attended on dates between October 1989 and June 1990; one count of rape and 11 charges of sexual assault which involved touching the child's breast and digitally penetrating her vagina; 19 charges of indecent assault of six further children between 1970 and 1992 and was sentenced to a concurrent term of four years (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; From the same investigation he subsequently pleaded guilty to 19 charges of indecent assault of six further children between 1970 and 1992 and was sentenced to a concurrent term of four years. In 2005, O'Rourke was jailed for ten years for rape and indecent assault dating back to 1975 but it could not be confirmed how many victims this involved.; Ms Justice Melanie Greally remanded O'Rourke in continuing custody until tomorrow for sentencing.
Places mentioned
- Virgina Road
- Cavan
- Central Criminal Court
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