Courts / Limerick / Report
Rapist jailed for 12 years - victim gets justice after 46 years
Summary
Matthew O'Connell, aged 75, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for 42 counts of rape committed between July 1979 and June 1987. The victim, who was 13 when the first assault occurred, described how O'Connell groomed her from age ten and raped her repeatedly, often twice a week, in various locations including his home, a mobile home and a vehicle. She kept the abuse secret for decades, only disclosing it to family in the 1990s and to Gardaí in 2021. O'Connell denied the charges and was remanded after conviction. The judge noted the serious impact on the victim, the breach of trust, and the age disparity, setting a headline sentence of 15 years but ultimately imposing a 12‑year term. The case highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and the victim's struggle to come forward.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rapist jailed for 12 years - victim gets justice after 46 years. Charges or matters: the offences. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- July 1979 Incident
- June 1987 Incident
- 2025-07-30 Publication
Why: "He chose me because I was vulnerable. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the offences (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Passing sentence today, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo noted that the rapes occurred in an upstairs bedroom in O'Connell's home, in a mobile home and once in a vehicle. Mr Justice Naidoo set a headline sentence of 15 years having taken into account the disparity in age between O'Connell and the woman, the breach of trust involved and the number of offences.; O'Connell was remanded in custody after being convicted at trial.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Manager at global IT firm denies company 'lied' about position of former Irish employee
- High Court refuses to surrender Limerick man wanted for alleged human trafficking in Greece
- Tipperary man admits attempted murder
- Volunteer who said he was sacked for warning Church officials of 'rogue' relic traders can't pursue case, WRC rules
- Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
- 'You've to get the morning after pill': man who was 18 when he raped girl (15) gets seven years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request