IMMIGRATION OFFICER JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT
A former Garda immigration officer has been sentenced to prison for sexual assault and harassment involving two non-EU women who sought assistance with visa and passport applications at a Garda station in Roscommon.During a Friday session at Roscommon Circuit Court, Judge Kenneth Connolly found John Egan, aged 61 and residing in Drum, Knock, Co Mayo, guilty of sexually assaulting one of the women at Castlerea Garda station on February 14th, 2015, while serving as an immigration officer.
He was also convicted of harassing the same woman at various locations across the county between February 15th and December 31st, 2015.
In addition, Egan was found guilty of harassing a second woman during a period spanning from June 1st, 2014, to March 4th, 2017.
The offences were admitted by Egan earlier when he pleaded guilty at a prior court hearing last year.
Evidence presented showed he engaged in acts of watching, following, and contacting the victims as part of his harassment.
Testimony at the court revealed that part of Egan’s role involved meeting non-EU nationals to help with their visa applications.
Multiple interactions had taken place at the Garda station when the victims sought passport and visa assistance.
On one occasion, when a woman expressed that she had no longer a partner, Egan invited her to his office, closed and locked the door, then sexually assaulted her.
The court also heard that Egan sometimes parked outside one victim’s residence, remaining there for extended periods, and told her not to tell anyone about his conduct.
The second victim reported that Egan repeatedly asked her if he could “have some fun,” which was understood by her as an unwanted sexual proposition.
Egan was arrested and charged in December 2021, after phone records and interactions with the victims were examined during investigations.
The women provided impact statements, describing emotional, physical, and mental effects.
One stated she felt “sad, ashamed and violated,” with the belief that Egan exploited his authority and her vulnerability.
She recalled his smirk and said she lost trust in the police after the incident, expressing relief that he was caught to prevent future incidents.
The other woman shared her feelings of discomfort caused by his sexual messages and her sense of shame when visiting his office, noting that he always locked the door.
She felt “dirty” and believed he was a respected figure, which made her feel trapped and vulnerable.
She also reported suffering from anxiety, requiring medication.
Both victims welcomed the case’s progress, hoping it would prevent similar cases.
They chose not to attend court on Friday to avoid seeing Egan again.
During the hearing, Egan offered a sincere apology for the trauma caused, describing his behaviour as “horrendous” and “unforgivable.” He expressed remorse to Gardaí and his family, acknowledging that his actions were despicable.
Egan’s defence highlighted his 35 years of unblemished service in the Gardaí, starting in December 1982, when he was 19.
He served at Castlerea Garda station from 1990 and became an immigration officer in 2002, until his retirement in April 2017.
The defence argued that he had “lost his way” and misused his position and authority, deeming his fall from grace humiliating.
The court was told that he does not qualify for anonymity.
Judge Connolly described Egan’s abuse of power as a significant aggravating factor.
The court sentenced him to two years and six months for the sexual assault, and an additional two years for harassment, to run concurrently.
He also received a consecutive sentence of one year and nine months for harassing the second woman.
The last nine months of this sentence were suspended on the condition that Egan maintains peace for two years post-release and follows a probation plan involving treatment over the next 18 months.
