IVOR COCHRANE FROM CO DOWN AND KILDARE CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN NEWRY

In a significant development in a long-standing case of sexual assault, Ivor Cochrane, a man originally from Banbridge in County Down and later residing in Monastervin, County Kildare, was finally brought to justice for a crime committed over three decades ago. The incident, which took place in the Poyntzpass area, involved a 14-year-old girl who was subjected to a sexual assault in July 1982. The victim, now a 47-year-old woman from Portadown, recounted her harrowing experience and her journey towards justice.

On a day in July 1982, the young girl had met Ivor Cochrane earlier that day at a band parade. He had convinced her that he was a police officer, a claim that she believed at the time due to her innocence and lack of experience with such matters. Later that evening, after a social event, her mother’s friend offered to give her a lift back to Banbridge. Cochrane, who was present, later joined them at a dance held at the Royal British Legion in Poyntzpass.

According to her account, Cochrane arrived late at the dance and then asked her if she wanted to go for a drive in his car. During the drive, what she initially thought would be a friendly gesture turned into a traumatic ordeal. Cochrane stopped the vehicle, approached her, and unexpectedly proceeded to sexually assault her. Despite her protests and attempts to push him away, he overpowered her and committed the assault. Afterward, he returned her to the hall where the dance was taking place, leaving her in a state of shock and distress.

The victim kept her ordeal secret for many years, confiding only in a few close individuals. Her silence was partly due to feelings of shame and fear. However, a turning point came when she read a newspaper report in the Portadown Times last year. The article detailed allegations of abuse involving another individual, Paul Gardiner, and mentioned that one of his victims was aged 14. This report struck a chord with her, prompting her to finally come forward and report her own experience to the authorities.

She recalled a verse from her church that resonated deeply with her: “For I have not given you the spirit of fear but of power, love and self-control.” This inspired her to seek justice and break her silence. She expressed relief at finally confronting her past, stating, “There was a story in the Portadown Times on Paul Gardiner and it said he abused three girls, one aged 14. When I read that it was like somebody putting a dagger through my heart.”

Her decision to report the crime led to a court appearance at Newry Crown Court, where Ivor Cochrane was present. He faced charges of rape but ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of indecent assault. The court sentenced him to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. The court's decision was met with a mixture of relief and closure for the victim, who described her feelings as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

It was also revealed that Ivor Cochrane passed away on February 2, 2019, closing a chapter on this painful case. His history of residence in Co Down and Kildare, along with his criminal conviction, underscores the long journey from victimization to justice. The case highlights the importance of perseverance in seeking accountability for past abuses, regardless of how much time has elapsed.