Courts / Offaly / Report

'There is no justice': Mother whose children were raped and abused by partner brands sentence 'a total disgrace'

Date
2025-03-10

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tullamore

County
Offaly

Summary

Georgina Tuohey, mother of three children who were raped and sexually abused by Brendan Cornally, spoke from the court during his sentencing at the Central Criminal Court. Cornally was sentenced to a total of 17½ years for the rape and sexual assault of her two sons and the sexual assault of her daughter. He had previously served 10 years for the rape of a boy aged 10‑14 and 21 months for the assault of a sister aged 13‑15. The judge imposed a headline sentence of 20 years, with the final two and a half years suspended on strict conditions for five years. Tuohey expressed that the sentence was lenient and that the justice system would let people like her down, while the judge noted the impact of Cornally's actions on her son, who suffered a severe decline in health and became catatonic. The sentencing was consecutive to his existing 11‑year‑nine‑month term. Brendan Cornally pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'There is no justice': Mother whose children were raped and abused by partner brands sentence 'a total disgrace'. Charges or matters: one count of sexual assault of the boy's sister on date between May 2012 and June 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 2012 Incident
June 2014 Incident
April 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
August 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
June 2019 Incident
2015 and 2019 Incident
2025-03-10 Publication

Why: Photo: Collins) A woman whose three children were raped and sexually abused by her former partner has said she cannot plead with other people similarly affected to come forward because "the justice system will let them down". CNI source report

Case subjects

Brendan Cornally

Convicted Person

Charges: one count of sexual assault of the boy's sister on date between May 2012 and June 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Brendan Cornally (51) was being sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for the rape and sexual assault of her two sons and the sexual assault of her daughter. She said this was reflected in the "very, very lenient sentence" imposed on Cornally adding: "It is a sad, sad day." "I have come to the conclusion that 20 years with two and a half years suspended meets the case," Ms Justice Biggs said adding: "This is my decision".