Courts / Cavan / Report
Ex-Olympic swim coach Derry O'Rourke (78) gets 10 years for rape of teenage girl
Summary
A former Olympic swimming coach has been convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the rape and sexual assault of a teenage girl over three decades ago. Derry O'Rourke, aged 78, of Virginia Road, Cavan, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and fifteen counts of indecent assault allegedly committed between October 1989 and June 1990 at a Leinster school. A jury unanimously convicted him of rape and eleven sexual assault charges following a six-day trial. The offences occurred when the victim was aged thirteen to fourteen. Justice Melanie Greally imposed concurrent sentences and described O'Rourke as a serial child abuser, noting aggravating factors including his abuse of authority as swimming coach, grooming behaviour, and the vulnerable age of the victim. O'Rourke has previous convictions dating from 1998 involving multiple victims, all entered through guilty pleas. The victim provided a detailed impact statement during sentencing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ex-Olympic swim coach Derry O'Rourke (78) gets 10 years for rape of teenage girl. 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
- September 1990 Incident
- August 2022 Incident
- March 2007 Incident
- March 13, 2000 Incident
- 1970 and 1992 Incident
- 1976 and 1992 Incident
- 2024-07-31 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; Photo: Collins) Former Olympic swimming coach and serial child abuser Derry O'Rourke has been jailed for ten years for the rape and sexual assault of a young teenager 35 years ago. 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.
Places mentioned
- Virgina Road
- Cavan
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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