Courts / Louth / Report
Abuser 'inserted' himself into home of vulnerable young girls
Summary
Ian Healy, 68, of Drogheda, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecent assault, attempted rape and rape of his girlfriend's younger sister Susan Mallon, aged nine to twelve when the abuse began in 1978, and to one count of indecent assault of Mallon's younger sister Jenny Sullivan, aged six to eight, between 1981 and 1983. Healy had moved into the family home, where the girls' parents were absent and their older sister was the sole caregiver, and groomed the children by showing pornographic magazines. The abuse escalated from inappropriate touching to attempted rape and rape, ending when Mallon resisted and Healy left the room. Sullivan was forced to masturbate Healy and was told not to report the abuse. Both girls waived anonymity. Healy's sentencing was eight and a half years, with a suspended portion and conditions of probation. The judge noted Healy's insertion into a vulnerable household and his lack of remorse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Abuser 'inserted' himself into home of vulnerable young girls. Charges or matters: 13 sample counts involving indecent assault, attempted rape and rape of the first complainant, Susan Mallon, on dates between 1978 and 1982; one count of indecent assault of Ms Mallon's younger sister, Jenny Sullivan, when she was aged between six and eight years on a date between 1981 and 1983. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 1978 and 1982 Incident
- 1981 and 1983 Incident
- 2025-11-03 Publication
Why: "As with many abusers, he abused because he could. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 13 sample counts involving indecent assault, attempted rape and rape of the first complainant, Susan Mallon, on dates between 1978 and 1982; one count of indecent assault of Ms Mallon's younger sister, Jenny Sullivan, when she was aged between six and eight years on a date between 1981 and 1983 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She handed down a sentence of 10 years and suspended the final year and a half on a number of conditions, including that Healy remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for a period of 18 months.
Applicant
Charges: one count of indecent assault of Ms Mallon's younger sister, Jenny Sullivan, when she was aged between six and eight years on a date between 1981 and 1983 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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