JOHN TWOMEY FROM BALLINCOLLIG SENTENCED FOR ABUSING HIS WIFE'S SISTERS IN CORK

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Ballincollig and the wider Cork region, John Twomey, a 62-year-old truck driver, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against his wife’s four younger sisters. The crimes, which spanned over a decade and a half, involved indecent assaults on young girls aged between five and 15 years old, and have left a lasting scar on the victims and their families.

Twomey’s offenses took place during the 1970s and 1980s, at various locations across Cork. The court heard that the abuse was both systematic and deeply disturbing, with Twomey sliding his hand under the girls’ blouses, feeling their breasts, and in some instances, inserting his fingers inside their underwear and vaginas. One of the victims recounted that Twomey would give her 50 pence after each assault, a detail that underscored the manipulative and predatory nature of his actions.

During the trial, Twomey, a father of two residing on Station Road in Ballincollig, admitted to 16 counts of indecent assault and four counts of sexual assault. Despite his remorseful statements in court, where he expressed deep regret and apologized to the victims and their families, the emotional toll of his actions was evident. The victims, who chose to be publicly named to ensure transparency and justice, described the profound impact the abuse had on their lives.

Fiona O’Connell, one of the sisters, spoke emotionally about the day they discovered the extent of Twomey’s abuse. She explained that each sister initially believed they were the only one targeted, and it was only during a shared shopping trip years later that the full scope of the abuse was revealed. Fiona expressed her feelings about Twomey’s attitude, noting that he had laughed in their faces and even in front of their elderly mother, which she found particularly upsetting. She emphasized that the victims felt a sense of justice after the sentencing, stating, “It is a very emotional day for all of us. Today, after years of anguish, we have seen that the Irish justice system does work. Our lives have been torn apart by John Twomey but from today we can start piecing them back together.”

Det Garda Garry Duggan provided details about the investigation, confirming Twomey’s admission to the charges. The court was told that the assaults occurred at various locations in Cork, with Twomey’s actions ranging from inappropriate touching to more invasive sexual acts. The court also heard that Twomey’s behavior was characterized by a disturbing pattern of abuse over many years.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain sentenced Twomey to three years in prison but suspended the final two years, reflecting a degree of leniency. Additionally, Twomey was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. The judge’s remarks underscored the gravity of the crimes, stating, “One of the things that can never be restored is innocence — that is something you interfered with for them.” The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the importance of justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals from such predatory behavior.