NOEL KELLEHER SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOR ABUSE IN ENNIS, CO CLARE
In a case that has shocked the community of Ennis, Co Clare, Noel Kelleher, a 64-year-old auctioneer, has been sentenced to a total of nine years in prison for a series of heinous sexual crimes committed against a minor.The court heard that Kelleher, who is described as a respected figure within the town and holds an address in Roslevan, engaged in a prolonged period of abuse that spanned over a year, beginning in June 1991.
According to the Central Criminal Court, the victim was only 12 years old at the time when Kelleher, a man of apparent social standing, subjected her to repeated sexual abuse.
The trauma inflicted on her remained buried for many years, as she struggled to come to terms with her suffering.
It was only after experiencing severe postnatal depression following the birth of her first child that she finally found the strength to confront her past and disclose her ordeal.
Prosecution barrister Pauline Walley SC detailed the devastating impact of Kelleher’s actions on the victim.
She revealed that the woman has since undergone psychiatric treatment and has made multiple attempts to end her life, highlighting the profound psychological scars left by the abuse.
During the court proceedings, the victim chose to waive her right to anonymity so that Kelleher could be publicly named.
In her Victim Impact Statement, she expressed her deep anguish, stating, “They might not have been in court if he had just said ‘sorry’.” She described the overwhelming feelings of shame, blame, pain, humiliation, anger, and isolation that have haunted her for years, emphasizing that she wished these feelings would simply disappear.
She firmly asserted that the shame should be his, not hers, but lamented that she believed Kelleher lacked any shame at all.
Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding over the case, acknowledged the severity of the crimes and the lasting damage caused.
She emphasized that Kelleher’s abuse had a “deep and long-lasting impact” on the victim.
The judge also pointed out the gravity of the offences, noting that they were perpetrated by a man who was trusted and held social standing within the community of Ennis, Co Clare.
The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such violations are regarded, especially when committed against a vulnerable young child by someone presumed to be a respected member of society.
