GAVIN FERGUSON FROM SOUTH ARMAGH PLEADS GUILTY TO ABUSE AGAINST SISTER

In a deeply distressing case that has shaken the small community of South Armagh, Gavin Ferguson has admitted to sexually abusing his sister, Linda Ferguson, starting from when she was just nine years old. The revelations came to light during a court hearing at Newry Crown Court, where Ferguson, who is two years older than Linda, pleaded guilty to the charges last month.

Linda Ferguson, now 27, courageously chose to speak publicly about her traumatic experiences, a decision she attributes to her three-year-old daughter. She explained that her daughter’s presence and innocence gave her the strength to break her silence and face the painful truth. Linda revealed, “I remember looking into her eyes and thinking if anyone ever hurt her I’d protect her with my life. My daughter gave me the courage to go forward. It’s the best thing I ever did.”

She further shared that her decision to speak out was not easy. With the support of her partner and the charity Nexus, which offers counseling and support services for survivors of sexual abuse, she was able to find the strength to “break free” from the silence that had haunted her for years. Linda emphasized the importance of her voice, stating, “I knew that my face and name would be out there about being this victim or survivor, but it was important for me to speak out so I could move on and to encourage other women and men who’ve been abused.”

Growing up in a close-knit community, Linda described the environment as “like a clique,” where keeping everything quiet was the norm. She explained that revealing her abuse was a difficult decision but one she felt was necessary to help others. “The culture in a small area is to keep everything quiet,” she said. Her trauma was kept hidden until she was 18, when she confided in her partner. It was only after the birth of her daughter that she decided to report the abuse to the police.

Linda recounted that she had kept her pain “closed in a box” for years, but the arrival of her child prompted her to come forward. She expressed gratitude towards her daughter, saying, “I can thank her—some day when she reads the paper or watches this back, it’s because of her.”

The court proceedings revealed that the abuse continued until Linda was approximately 16 years old. She described her life during that period as one of fear and silence, explaining, “It became the norm and I lived in fear: I just didn’t have that voice to tell anybody.”

Since publicly sharing her story, Linda has received an outpouring of support. She shared that a teacher reached out to her, expressing disbelief at what had happened, recalling her as a “bright bubbly pupil.” Linda admitted that she had been skilled at masking her pain, often putting on a brave face and hiding her true feelings from those around her. She reminisced about her childhood, recalling her participation in beauty pageants like Little Miss Forkhill and Slieve Gullion, which she won, despite her inner turmoil.

She described her experience of going through the judicial process as “the hardest thing I have ever done.” Facing her family, who supported Ferguson, was particularly challenging and intimidating. However, she resolved to stand her ground, telling herself, “I’m going to do this, I’m going to stand up there and tell my story and let anybody know I’m not scared of them anymore.”

Just before she was due to testify, Ferguson unexpectedly pleaded guilty, shocking Linda. He was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for three years, and was disqualified from working with young people. Linda emphasized that her primary goal was not necessarily the sentence but the acknowledgment of her suffering. “For me, it wasn’t about a custodial or non-custodial sentence, all I wanted was for him to admit what he did to me,” she said.

She concluded with a reflection on her fears and regrets, sharing, “I lived with the fear that no-one would believe me, that’s the biggest fear. The biggest regret is that I never told a friend or a teacher. Once you just say the words, you get the support.”