KEVIN MCDONNELL FROM BALLINA, MAYO SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSES AGAINST TWO YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the community of Ballina, Mayo, Kevin McDonnell, a 39-year-old man, was sentenced to seven years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against two young girls aged eight and nine. The crimes, which spanned from June 1999 to September 2000, involved multiple counts of sexual assault, oral rape, and anal rape, with McDonnell denying all charges during the trial.

McDonnell, who worked as a barman in Bangor Erris, was found guilty by a jury last month on all 16 counts of sexual assault and 13 counts of oral rape concerning one girl, and on 14 counts of sexual assault, 13 counts of oral rape, and one count of anal rape involving the second girl. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing pattern of abuse, which became increasingly severe over time.

During the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court, Mr. Justice Garrett Sheehan acknowledged the bravery of the victims, stating, “They showed great courage and resilience in giving evidence and I hope they are able to build on these qualities and, with help and support, go on to lead less troubled lives.” He also noted that the breach of trust was somewhat less severe than in other cases because the girls had not been placed in McDonnell’s care, which somewhat mitigated the gravity of the offense.

In his sentencing remarks, Mr. Justice Sheehan took into account McDonnell’s lack of prior convictions, his employment record, and the potential difficulties he might face reintegrating into society due to the intense media coverage of the case. The judge sentenced McDonnell to a total of seven years for the anal rape count, six years for each of the oral rape counts, and three years for the sexual assault counts. These sentences are to be served concurrently, with the start date backdated to when McDonnell was first taken into custody following the trial.

Furthermore, the judge decided against imposing a post-release supervision order after hearing evidence from Garda Sergeant James Gill during the sentencing. As McDonnell was led away by prison officers, shouts of “scumbag” could be heard from the courtroom audience.

During the court proceedings, both young women were visibly distressed, crying and embracing their parents as harrowing details of the abuse were read aloud by prosecutor Deirdre Murphy SC. The court heard that the girls had developed a habit of watching children’s cartoons in the lounge area of the pub where McDonnell worked after school. It was in a secluded part of this lounge that McDonnell first approached them, initiating the series of assaults.

Ms. Murphy described the attacks as increasingly bold and depraved, occurring two to three times a week over the course of a year. She emphasized the severity and frequency of the abuse, noting that McDonnell threatened the girls to keep their ordeal secret and often rewarded their silence with sweets and soft drinks. The court considered these offenses to be at the upper end of the seriousness scale, especially given the young age of the victims and the fact that both girls were abused simultaneously.

Outside the court, the victims expressed their dissatisfaction with the sentence, feeling it was not sufficiently severe given the gravity of the crimes committed by Kevin McDonnell in Ballina, Mayo. The community remains deeply affected by the case, which highlights the disturbing reality of abuse occurring in familiar settings and the importance of justice for the victims.