CHRISTOPHER TWOHIG'S SHOCKING CRIME IN CO CORK: TEENAGE GIRLS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED WHILE ASLEEP

In June 2017, a disturbing case unfolded in Co Cork involving the sexual assault of two teenage girls by a young man named Christopher Twohig. The incident, which took place over several years, has left a lasting impact on the victims and has garnered significant attention in the local community.

Christopher Twohig, aged 24 at the time of sentencing, resided in Banteer West, a village in Co Cork. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, each involving a teenage girl who was asleep at the time of the attacks. The first assault occurred in 2011 when the victim was just 15 years old. Twohig, then approximately 18 or 19, sexually assaulted her while she was sleeping on a sofa in her home. The young girl, upon realizing what was happening, chose to feign sleep rather than confront him directly. Her fear of provoking anger or violence from Twohig led her to pretend she was still asleep, a decision driven by her young age and lack of understanding of the gravity of the situation.

Eventually, the girl managed to convince Twohig that she was awake, prompting him to cease his actions and leave the house. In a heartfelt victim-impact statement read out in Cork Circuit Criminal Court, she revealed the profound emotional toll the incident had taken on her. She expressed feelings of guilt and self-blame, stating that she had blamed herself for years for allowing the assault to happen. She described her young age at the time as a factor that prevented her from fully understanding what had occurred.

"He saw me as dirt and used me for his own benefit. This challenged my relationship with my family and every other relationship I ever had," she said. "I felt guilt and anger – guilt and anger because I had let this incident set me back in life. I struggled immensely in school and college. I was damaged and just something for people to use."

Twohig's second victim was assaulted in a similar manner while she was sleeping. He admitted to both incidents when questioned by the Gardaí, the Irish police force, and expressed remorse during the court proceedings. His legal representative highlighted that Twohig, a university graduate who had aspirations of working in childcare, was currently attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings as part of his efforts to address personal issues.

In sentencing, Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin ordered Twohig to serve one year in prison for the first sexual assault. For the second assault, he was sentenced to four years, but this sentence was suspended in its entirety, meaning Twohig would not serve additional time for that offence unless he committed further violations. The case has left a deep scar on the community and underscores the importance of vigilance and support for victims of sexual violence.