MICHAEL FARRELL JUNIOR SENTENCED FOR CO LAOIS SISTERS' ABUSE AT CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Co Laois, Michael Farrell Junior, aged 45, formerly residing at Davin Park, Mountmellick, and currently at Cromwellsfort House in Wexford, has been sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes committed against three sisters from their childhood into their teenage years.

Farrell was convicted last November by a jury on a total of 31 charges, including 11 counts of rape and 20 counts of indecent assault, involving the three sisters who ranged in age from just four to 14 years old at the time of the abuse. The abuse spanned nearly a decade, from 1975 to 1984, and Farrell himself was only 15 years old when he began his criminal conduct.

During the seven-day trial, the sisters provided detailed testimonies, revealing that Farrell would often send them on small errands to the local shop, only to later invite them into his house at Davin Park or to a flat where he later resided, where the abuse would occur. The victims identified their abuser at their home addresses, describing how the assaults took place over a period of years, leaving deep scars that would last a lifetime.

Justice Michael Peart, presiding over the case, emphasized that Farrell exploited the girls' young age and used threats to silence them, preventing them from revealing the abuse. The judge noted that Farrell had shown no remorse or apology for his actions and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. This stance, according to the judge, added to the trauma experienced by the victims, who are now aged 25, 34, and 36, as they were compelled to relive their ordeal by giving evidence in court.

In sentencing Farrell, Mr. Justice Peart ordered consecutive sentences of eight years each for the rapes, along with an additional four-year term for the sexual assaults, to ensure that each victim's suffering was individually acknowledged and appropriately punished. The judge explained that the sentences would be served consecutively to reflect the severity and distinctiveness of each offense, sending a clear message that such crimes are taken seriously and that offenders cannot expect to serve the same amount of time for multiple victims as they would for a single one.

While acknowledging the personal hardships Farrell faced, including the loss of his job at An Post after 20 years of service and the breakdown of his marriage following his detention in December, Mr. Justice Peart stated that these factors did not outweigh the need for justice for the victims. He also considered the adverse publicity surrounding the case, which had caused damage to Farrell's business endeavors since his arrest.

The impact of the abuse on the eldest sister was particularly severe. She recounted to the court that she had spent six years in hospital undergoing psychiatric treatment, had attempted to take her own life multiple times, and had endured 11 years of ongoing counseling and medication. Her condition had significantly affected her ability to care for her own children, who had to be placed in the care of others for extended periods.

The jury's verdicts reflected the complexity of the case, with majority decisions of 10-2 and 11-1 on various counts of rape and indecent assault concerning the sisters. Farrell was found not guilty on one count each of rape and indecent assault related to one of the victims, but was convicted on multiple counts involving the other two sisters. The jury deliberated for approximately seven hours over two days before reaching their verdicts, which included some disagreements on certain charges of indecent assault.

In conclusion, Mr. Justice Peart stated that given the gravity of Farrell's crimes, he did not see the need to impose post-release supervision. He acknowledged the suffering caused to the victims and the broader community, emphasizing that the sentences were designed to reflect the seriousness of the offenses and to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar acts.