OLIVER HASKETT'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN CO CLARE AND LIMERICK GUESTHOUSE REVEALED

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Co Clare and Limerick, Oliver Haskett, aged 61, has been found guilty of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse and physical assault of his own daughter, Sheila Ryan. The abuse, which began when Sheila was just five years old, spanned several years and took place in various locations, including the family’s guesthouse in Adare, Co Limerick, and other settings in Foynes, Kilcornan, and Corbally.

Haskett’s criminal activities came to light after he pleaded guilty to a total of 32 counts of sexual abuse and indecent assault. The charges covered a period from when Sheila was five years old up until she was 18, with specific allegations relating to her age between 11 and 18. The court heard that Haskett would take his young daughter into his bed, often on weekends, where he would touch her private parts and force her to touch his own. The disturbing details also included acts of French kissing and other forms of sexual contact, which constituted a severe breach of trust and a profound violation of familial bonds.

What made this case particularly extraordinary was the courageous intervention of Sheila Ryan herself. She chose to waive her right to anonymity and wrote a heartfelt letter to the presiding judge, Carroll Moran, pleading for her father not to be jailed. Her plea was based on her desire for forgiveness and her belief that her father had acknowledged his wrongdoings. Judge Moran acknowledged her request, stating, “I do take into account his daughter’s request. It is a judge who decides but a judge may take requests into consideration… and I do take (this request) into consideration.”

Despite her plea, Judge Moran handed down a four-year suspended sentence to Haskett, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. The judge described Haskett’s actions as a betrayal of trust and highlighted the devastating impact on Sheila’s life. He noted that the abuse had resulted in her premature sexualization and caused long-lasting trauma, including an eating disorder and feelings of lost childhood. The court was told that Haskett had already paid €160,000 in compensation to his daughter from the sale of a property, which Sheila accepted as a form of restitution.

Sheila Ryan, now a married woman with children, provided a harrowing victim impact statement. She revealed that she had attempted to take her own life during her darkest days, between the ages of 13 and 23, and that she continues to suffer from depression, eating disorders, and alcohol abuse. She described her father as a controlling figure who would correct her for minor mistakes and subjected her to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse within her family home. She recounted how her father took photographs of her naked and engaged in inappropriate acts, including touching her and forcing her into sexual acts in her parents’ bed.

Haskett’s history of abuse was further detailed in court, with evidence showing that he had also taken photographs of Sheila in various states of undress, including holiday pictures from 1985 and 1986. The court heard that he had used physical punishment, including beatings, and that his abusive behavior extended into his teenage years, with incidents of him undressing and touching his daughter’s breasts and genitals. The family’s relationship deteriorated further after their divorce in 2005, with the proceeds from the sale of an investment property being handed over to Sheila.

Legal counsel for Haskett, Pat Barriscale, acknowledged his client’s admissions and expressed remorse. The Granada Institute’s assessment indicated that Haskett was of moderate risk to reoffend, but with ongoing treatment, this risk could decrease. The court also ordered that Haskett be placed on the Register of Sex Offenders for a period of five years. The judge, recognizing the severity of the case, adjourned sentencing until October 24 and remanded Haskett in custody, with the court emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and support for the victim.

This case has cast a long shadow over the communities involved, highlighting the devastating effects of familial abuse and the importance of justice and support for survivors. The full extent of the trauma inflicted by Haskett underscores the need for continued vigilance and intervention in cases of family-related sexual violence.