COLM MCQUILLAN SHOCKING CRIME AT CUSHEN DUN ON THE NORTH ANTRIM COAST

A disturbing case of sexual assault and violence has unfolded at Cushen Dun on the North Antrim Coast, involving Colm McQuillan, aged 25, whose actions have now led to a lengthy prison sentence. The incident came to light after Geraldine McHugh, a mother of seven, decided to come forward and provide crucial information to the police, motivated by a desire to protect other women from the same perpetrator.

Geraldine McHugh recounted to detectives that on the night of the assault, she was at her residence in the village when she received a phone call from Colm McQuillan. During the call, he pleaded for her assistance, claiming innocence regarding the rape. McQuillan attempted to persuade her that he was not involved, even arguing that his physical weakness, specifically his purportedly weak arms, proved he lacked the strength to overpower anyone. Despite his claims, Geraldine was soon to witness a different side of him.

According to her testimony in Antrim Crown Court, McQuillan arrived at her home and subjected her to a brutal assault. She described being beaten severely in front of her children, leaving her with visible injuries, including two black eyes and extensive bruising. Her account made it clear that the violence was not only physical but also deeply traumatic, and it was this assault that revealed the true extent of McQuillan’s strength and brutality.

The court heard that McQuillan, who was unemployed at the time, had been drinking heavily with a teenage accomplice, Joseph McCormick, aged 19, both residents of Cushen Dun. The pair had been patrolling the beach area, where they spotted a 30-year-old German tourist who had set up her tent after a long day of cycling. The woman, exhausted, was vulnerable and unprotected, making her an easy target for the pair.

It was reported that McQuillan and McCormick took turns attempting to assault the tourist, with their actions escalating to the point of torching her belongings and physically assaulting her with a rock when she tried to call for help. The attack was described as savage and relentless, leaving the victim traumatized and her possessions destroyed.

Geraldine McHugh, who had a tumultuous seven-year affair with McQuillan—the father of her six-year-old daughter—spoke openly about her feelings following the sentencing. She stated, “I have no regrets. Justice has been done. McQuillan felt nothing for me. He only wanted me as an alibi.” Her words underscored her sense of betrayal and the gravity of the crimes committed.

In court, McQuillan was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the attack, while his teenage accomplice, Joseph McCormick, received a 10-year sentence. The case has sent shockwaves through the community of Cushen Dun, highlighting the dangers faced by women in the area and the importance of vigilant reporting to authorities. The justice served in this case aims to send a clear message about the consequences of such violent and predatory behavior.