BREFFNI O’ROURKE'S SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN WATERFORD AND MEATH

In May 2016, a disturbing case involving Breffni O’Rourke, a former music teacher from Waterford, came to light as he faced serious allegations of indecent assault against a young girl. The incident, which reportedly occurred in his home in Stamullen, Co Meath, in June 1987, had been the subject of a lengthy legal process that culminated in a conviction and subsequent appeal.

Breffni O’Rourke, aged 67 at the time of the appeal, was residing in Ferrybank, Waterford, during his trial. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges of indecently assaulting a nine-year-old girl in his Stamullen residence. Despite his denial, a jury found him guilty, leading to a sentence of two years imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended by Judge Desmond Hogan on July 30, 2012.

The Court of Appeal, however, dismissed O’Rourke’s appeal against his conviction, citing multiple grounds for rejection. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan delivered the judgment, providing detailed insights into the case and the court’s reasoning.

According to the judgment, O’Rourke was single at the time and lived alone in a small cottage. His employment involved credit control at a public company, but he also dedicated his spare time to giving music lessons. The victim, who was nine years old at the time, began taking music lessons with O’Rourke in 1985, with the lessons eventually moving to his home.

It was alleged that O’Rourke employed a specific modus operandi, which included tickling the young girl as a preparatory act before committing the indecent assault. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the girl initially disclosed the abuse to a teacher in 1992, and this information was passed to the ISPCC. She later attended a Garda station in 2000 but was unable to proceed with her complaint at that time, reportedly breaking down during the process.

Years later, while attending third-level college, the victim met with a counsellor from the Rape Crisis Centre. It was during this meeting in May 2003 that she made a formal complaint against O’Rourke. The court considered the argument that the absence of notes from her 1992 meeting prejudiced the case, but Mr Justice Sheehan found this to be a speculative point. The notes’ maker was available for cross-examination, and the court deemed the prejudice to be minimal.

Furthermore, the court reviewed the issue of delay in bringing the case to court. The trial judge had addressed this matter adequately, and the court found no merit in criticisms regarding Garda investigations into other aspects, such as interviewing parents or examining the details of O’Rourke’s van. The appeal was ultimately dismissed, reaffirming the conviction.

In a separate but related case in July 2012, O’Rourke was sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, for the sexual assault of a girl at his Co Meath home 25 years earlier. The victim, who was around nine or ten at the time, described feeling “dirty and disgusting” after the assault, which took place in June 1987. She recounted that O’Rourke, then aged 39, had taken her into his bedroom, pulled her across the bed, and pulled down her trousers, pressing against her and causing her to feel unable to breathe.

The court heard that O’Rourke, a married man, initially denied the allegations but later cooperated with Gardaí. The victim’s impact statement revealed long-lasting trauma, including feelings of loneliness, diminished self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. She expressed that her love for traditional Irish music had been tainted by her experience, and she now associated it with fear. She also described suffering panic attacks and nightmares, sleeping with a chair against her door for safety.

Defense counsel Paul Greene SC highlighted that the incident was a single event, with O’Rourke being clothed during the assault, and emphasized his client’s good character and cooperation. Despite this, O’Rourke maintained his innocence and indicated his intention to appeal the conviction, citing the lapse of 25 years since the incident as a significant factor.

Both cases underscore the serious nature of the allegations against Breffni O’Rourke, a man whose actions have left a lasting impact on his victims and have been met with firm judicial responses in Waterford and Co Meath.