KEVIN DOHERTY FROM EGLINTON SENTENCED FOR SHAMEFUL SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS DECADES AGO

In a case that has spanned over four decades, Kevin Doherty, a 61-year-old man residing on Main Street in Eglinton, has been formally sentenced to serve five years in prison for his involvement in the sexual abuse of two young girls. The court proceedings also mandated that Doherty spend an additional two years on probation following his release, emphasizing the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing supervision.

Furthermore, the court imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order on Doherty, aiming to prevent any future harm and to protect the community from potential reoffending. The charges against him included six counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency, all of which he pleaded guilty to. These offences were committed over a span of years, specifically between 1973 and 1981, when Doherty was aged 18 and above.

The victims, one aged just six and the other sixteen at the time of the abuse, endured prolonged suffering at the hands of Doherty. The court heard that the youngest victim was subjected to ongoing abuse, with Doherty exploiting her trust by giving her sweets and instructing her to remain silent about what was happening. The details of the abuse only came to light after a meeting held in August 2013 at a local parochial house, which was attended by Doherty, one of the victims, and a local priest.

Following this meeting, the victim reported the abuse to the police, accompanied by a member of the Derry Diocesan Safeguarding Team. The case was brought before Derry Crown Court, where Judge Philip Babington delivered the sentence. In his remarks, the judge described the abuse as “callous and shameful,” emphasizing the profound impact on the victims. He stated that the five-year prison term was both “necessary and appropriate” given the nature of the crimes.

Judge Babington also acknowledged that Doherty deserved “some credit for his guilty plea,” which spared the victims the ordeal of giving evidence in court. This gesture was seen as a small measure of justice in a case marked by long-standing trauma.

After the sentencing, the victims expressed their relief and gratitude, stating that the five-year sentence had helped restore their “self-respect and self-esteem.” They also thanked the judge for his sentencing comments, which they felt were “aimed at protecting children from the type of sexual abuse we endured.” The women further encouraged other victims of sexual abuse to come forward and report their experiences, emphasizing the importance of justice and safeguarding for future generations.