MICHAEL MCCARVILLE FROM CO CAVAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR ABUSE IN COOTEHILL

In March 2017, a harrowing case of long-standing sexual abuse came to light involving Michael McCarville, a man from Co Cavan, who was convicted of heinous crimes against seven children from the same family in Cootehill. The details of this case reveal a disturbing pattern of exploitation that spanned nearly two decades, leaving a trail of trauma and suffering among the victims.

Michael McCarville, aged 49 at the time of sentencing, was a farm labourer who began abusing the children shortly after he started working on their family farm. The first known assault occurred in 1982 when the victim was just 10 years old, and McCarville was 15. Over the course of 18 years, he subjected six of the children—five brothers and two sisters—to repeated acts of sexual violence, including rape and molestation. The assaults took place in various secluded locations around the family’s farm, such as sheds, outhouses, and fields, making it difficult for the victims to escape or seek help.

McCarville, who resided at Longfield, Lisboduff, Cootehill, Co Cavan, faced a total of 187 charges, encompassing indecent assault and sexual assault against all seven children. He ultimately pleaded guilty to 52 of these charges, which included acts of oral and anal rape. The victims, despite their suffering, agreed to have McCarville’s name published in the media but chose to retain their right to anonymity, underscoring their courage and desire for justice.

Court proceedings revealed that the abuse was relentless for some victims. The eldest sibling, now 45, provided a victim impact statement describing McCarville as “a master manipulator” who deliberately sowed discord among the children to maintain control over them. He recounted the shock of discovering over the past two years that all his siblings had also been victims of abuse, which compounded the trauma. The eldest sibling expressed his horror at having been overpowered by what he called “an evil and disgusting man,” and he reflected on the resilience required to survive such a prolonged ordeal.

Additional testimonies highlighted the severe emotional and psychological toll on the victims. Many reported struggling with alcohol abuse in adulthood, while others continue to suffer from flashbacks, depression, and anxiety. The court heard that some of the abuse was particularly brutal, with McCarville raping a seven-year-old girl orally for five years and repeatedly assaulting another brother aged between 10 and 12. The seventh sibling was subjected to sexual assault twice, indicating a pattern of sustained and systematic abuse.

During sentencing, Mr. Justice Patrick McCarthy acknowledged the gravity of the crimes, describing them as “the utmost seriousness.” He expressed difficulty in deciding whether to impose a life sentence but recognized McCarville’s guilty plea as a mitigating factor. Ultimately, he sentenced McCarville to 20 years in prison, with an additional five years of post-release supervision. The judge emphasized the betrayal of trust involved, noting that McCarville had been treated as a family member—initially as an employee and later as part of the household—making his crimes even more reprehensible. The court condemned the abuse as a serious breach of trust and a profoundly disturbing violation of the innocence of the victims.