FRANCIS MALONE FROM WEXFORD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD AT AGE 12

In June 2021, a harrowing case of child sexual abuse came to light involving Francis Malone, a man from Kennedy Park, Wexford Town. Malone, aged 54 at the time of sentencing, was convicted of multiple counts of indecent assault committed when he was just 12 years old, over the period of 1979 to 1980. The Wexford Circuit Court sentenced him to a total of two years in prison earlier that month, following a conviction on six counts of indecent assault. The court's decision was influenced by Malone’s awareness of his actions, despite his young age at the time, and the fact that he had previously committed other sexual offenses for which he had already served time.

The victim, who bravely testified during the trial, described Malone as a 'sneaky, manipulative, and horrible' predator. She expressed her relief and satisfaction that Malone was found guilty and is now behind bars, emphasizing her happiness that he cannot harm other girls. She recounted her feelings of fear and vulnerability, recalling how every outing outside her home was fraught with danger, as she believed there was a constant risk of being snatched or assaulted while she played outside. Her words painted a vivid picture of her childhood trauma, describing how Malone’s predatory behavior cast a dark shadow over her early years.

She explained that her fear was compounded by Malone’s threats and repeated assaults, which began when she was at his house playing with his brother. Malone, who had sent his brother to the shops, then chased her and forcibly assaulted her. The abuse was not limited to a single incident; he targeted her multiple times, both inside his house and on nearby waste ground, often while she was on her way to or from local shops. During these attacks, she was subjected to stripping and was left feeling disgusting and dirty afterward. She vividly remembered Malone’s face, flushed and slobbering, as he assaulted her.

Malone did not testify during the trial, but the court heard that the victim first came forward in 2018, when Malone was already serving a three-year sentence for other sexual offenses. At that time, Gardaí interviewed him at Arbour Hill Prison, where he denied the allegations. Despite his denials, a jury found him guilty of six counts earlier this month. The victim’s impact statement was deeply emotional, describing how Malone’s actions stole her innocence and transformed her childhood into a period of darkness and shame. She recounted her constant nightmares of Malone chasing her on his bicycle, laughing maliciously, as she desperately tried to escape.

She also shared the internalized shame she carried, feeling disgusting and unworthy, wishing she could somehow erase the trauma. Her statement revealed the long-lasting effects of the abuse, including hyper-vigilance, fear, and a protective instinct towards her own children. She admitted to sleeping with a knife under her bed and barricading hotel room doors with chairs and her suitcase when traveling alone, illustrating the ongoing impact of her trauma.

Judge Cormac Quinn praised her bravery in coming forward and testifying, acknowledging the maturity and understanding she demonstrated beyond her years. The judge noted that Malone, despite his young age at the time of the offenses, was fully aware that his actions were wrong and did not lead a blameless life afterward. The court sentenced Malone to one year for each of the six offenses, with five of those sentences to run concurrently and one to run consecutively, resulting in an overall sentence of two years. The court’s decision reflected both the severity of the crimes and the law’s consideration of Malone’s age at the time of the offenses.