DEREK MARTIN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD ABUSE IN CULLYHANNA AND NEWRY

In December 2014, a significant case of child abuse was brought to a close at Craigavon Crown Court, where Derek Martin, a 48-year-old man from Cullyhanna, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 20 years. The court's decision followed a series of heinous crimes committed over a span of nearly 15 years, involving three female victims between May 1991 and January 2006.

Martin faced multiple charges, including two counts of rape, three counts of gross indecency towards a child, seven counts of indecent assault, and one count of threatening to damage property. The severity and breadth of these allegations underscored the gravity of his offenses, which had inflicted profound trauma on his victims.

Her Honour Judge McColgan, presiding over the case, delivered the sentence with a stern warning, emphasizing that Martin had demonstrated no remorse for his actions. The judge expressed concern that, given the opportunity, Martin might reoffend, highlighting the dangerous nature of his conduct and the importance of protecting society from such individuals.

One of Martin’s victims, who chose to remain anonymous, shared her harrowing experience exclusively with Armagh I. She recounted the immense emotional toll the abuse had taken on her and how it had drastically altered her life. She described the process of reliving her trauma during the court proceedings as incredibly draining, yet she expressed relief and satisfaction that justice had been served.

Reflecting on her ordeal, she revealed that the abuse had left her contemplating suicide, as she struggled to escape the nightmare that had become her reality. She detailed the lasting damage inflicted by Martin, stating, “I cannot begin to explain the damage this man has caused me throughout my childhood and my adult life.” She described feeling isolated, vulnerable, and convinced as a child that no one would believe her, which compounded her suffering.

She also spoke about the severe depression and loss of self-confidence that followed the abuse, emphasizing how Martin’s actions robbed her of her innocence and early adulthood. Despite these hardships, she expressed a sense of empowerment for having come forward and shared her story.

On the day the verdict was announced, the victims experienced intense emotional pressure, feeling as though their lives depended on the jury’s decision. She recalled the moment when the court read out the charges, particularly highlighting the impact of the rape charge, which affected her the most. She described the emotional toll of the courtroom experience, noting that she and the other victims were overwhelmed with feelings of relief and sorrow.

Despite the difficulties, she had no regrets about pursuing justice. She recounted a poignant moment when she saw Martin entering the courtroom and hung his head in acknowledgment of his guilt. That moment, she said, gave her the strength to believe in herself and to continue with her pursuit of justice.

She acknowledged the support she received from her family, friends, the witness support team, and police, which she described as invaluable during such a stressful process. She emphasized that she did the right thing by coming forward, despite the emotional toll.

Looking ahead, she expressed her hope that Martin’s conviction would prevent him from harming others. She described him as a “very sick man” who must be kept away from children, and she felt a sense of relief knowing she might have protected another child from suffering as she did. Her primary motivation was her daughter, whose innocence inspired her to fight for justice. She explained that every morning she struggled with the desire to avoid court, but seeing her daughter gave her the strength to persevere.

It was also noted that Martin was already a convicted pedophile serving a five-year sentence at the time of this case. The police, specifically Constable Karen Cole of the E District’s Child Abuse Unit, welcomed the sentence, stating that it would hopefully bring some closure to the victims. She praised their bravery and resilience throughout the lengthy legal process and emphasized that such crimes would not be tolerated in society.

Constable Cole also expressed hope that other victims might come forward, encouraged by the conviction, to ensure that justice is served and that offenders like Martin are held accountable for their actions.