PADDY FITZGERALD OF BALLYFERMOT DUBLIN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF SISTER

In a deeply distressing case that has shocked the community of Ballyfermot in Dublin, a woman who endured six years of sexual abuse at the hands of her own brother has publicly called for an end to silence surrounding such crimes. Her emotional plea came during a court hearing where her brother, Paddy Fitzgerald, was sentenced for his crimes.

Fitzgerald, a 57-year-old laborer residing on Cleggan Road in Ballyfermot, Dublin, was sentenced to a year in prison after admitting to repeatedly abusing his youngest sister over a period spanning from 1976 to 1982. The court heard that the abuse occurred several times each week during that time. Judge Frank O’Donnell, presiding over the case, decided to suspend the last six months of Fitzgerald’s sentence, citing the importance of balancing justice with legal considerations. The judge emphasized that the sentence was a recognition of the gravity of Fitzgerald’s actions.

The victim, Ms. Roche, delivered a heartbreaking account of her suffering, describing the profound impact the abuse had on her life. She urged others who might be aware of similar abuse to break their silence and do the right thing. Her words underscored the importance of confronting such issues openly, rather than allowing them to remain hidden behind closed doors.

In a powerful moment during an earlier hearing, Ms. Roche addressed her brother directly in court, stating, “You took everything away from me. You shattered my innocence by teaching me things no child should ever have to know.” She revealed that she would no longer remain silent about the wrongs inflicted upon her within the confines of their family home, a modest three-bedroom house shared by 14 family members, where she was between the ages of eight and 15 when the abuse occurred.

Prosecutor Tara Burns informed the court that Ms. Roche wished to waive her right to anonymity to openly share her story and shed light on the lasting effects of the abuse. She recounted a specific incident where Fitzgerald signaled her with his eyes to follow him upstairs to his bedroom while she was sitting at the kitchen table knitting a jumper for her doll. The 41-year-old mother explained that her ability to feel affection and love had been severely damaged by her brother’s actions, stating, “Affection and love don’t come naturally to me. He shut down my feelings because of what he did.”

Ms. Roche expressed her hope that she would never have to face her brother’s face again, adding, “I will never be the person I was put on this earth to be.” She reflected on the significance of the court’s decision, acknowledging that while some might feel the sentence was insufficient, it was a step toward justice. She also issued a stark warning to others living with the burden of secret abuse, emphasizing that such secrets may not remain hidden forever and encouraging them to do the right thing.

She further discussed the long and painful journey she had endured, mentioning allegations made in court about her deceased father, who was accused of being abusive and violent towards his children. Ms. Roche clarified that she had no recollection of ever experiencing or meeting the man her siblings described. She also noted her mother’s role, describing her as a controlling figure who refused to believe the abuse until the very end.

In a show of support, another sister and her siblings submitted a letter to the court, detailing the extent of physical and sexual abuse within their family. Fitzgerald himself acknowledged that he was not a “very pleasant young fella” during his youth, citing his troubled upbringing, which included a violent father and a sexually abusive Christian Brother at school. He expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he was sorry for what he had done to his sister. Fitzgerald also revealed that he had waited years for this court case and attributed his own history of suffering abuse to his current mental health struggles, including a stammer and a heavy drinking problem, which he said left him “mentally scarred.”