ATHLONE MAN PATRICK MCNALLY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL

In January 2002, a harrowing case of long-term sexual abuse came to light involving a woman from Athlone who bravely spoke out about her traumatic experiences. Marie, now 22 years old, revealed that she was subjected to repeated acts of abuse by Patrick McNally, a man she once considered a trusted family friend, from the tender age of six. Her ordeal culminated on her 10th birthday, when McNally, a resident of Assumption Road in Athlone, raped her for the first time, an event she vividly remembers as a turning point in her life.

Marie chose to waive her right to anonymity in order to shed light on the abuse she endured at the hands of McNally, who was 68 years old at the time of sentencing. She expressed her desire for justice, stating, “He took my life away from me,” and emphasized her need for accountability. “I just wanted to see justice done and I feel it was the right thing to waive my right not to be named. He basically took nine years of my life and yes, I want him to pay for it. But it’s over and done with now as far as I’m concerned. I want to really start having a proper life. Until now I don’t think I really ever had one.”

McNally, who lived just four doors down from Marie, was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual offenses. The court heard that he had committed over 300 sex-related crimes against Marie between the ages of 10 and 15, with the offenses occurring in various locations including his car at Coosan Church, his house, and a shed at the bottom of his garden. The abuse began with inappropriate touching and progressed to rape, with McNally forcing Marie into acts that she did not understand at the time due to her young age.

The court proceedings revealed that McNally had pleaded guilty to three sample counts of rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault, which took place between May 1989 and December 1994. The evidence presented showed a pattern of predatory behavior, with Marie describing how McNally had sexually abused her multiple times a week. She recounted her feelings of fear and confusion, noting that she hated what was happening but lacked the understanding that it was wrong because of her young age.

Marie also shared that her younger sisters had horse riding lessons with McNally, who was known locally as a former soldier and horse owner. She explained, “I started going out on the horses with him when I was about six. Loads of the local kids learned to horse ride with him. He had been abusing me from the age of six — but it’s all a blur. I remember the very first time he had sex with me. It was on my 10th birthday and it was in the back of his car. He had sex with me three or four times a week — I hated it but I didn’t know it was wrong. I was so young I didn’t know what it was he was doing to me.”

Marie expressed her regret that her sisters had also been around McNally but were never harmed, and she admitted to pleading with her mother not to let them go horse riding with him. Her silence persisted for years, and she only confided in her mother, Kathleen, at the age of 19, after reading about similar abuse cases in the newspapers. Her mother, who was shocked by the revelation, recalled her own connection to McNally, noting, “My father and that man served in the army together. He was at my wedding, I was friendly with his daughters. I couldn’t believe it when Marie told me what he’d been doing to her. I had trusted him. He was so well known around the town and he was well liked. He gave lessons to the local kids for about 30 years. There was never any reason to think he was doing anything bad.”

Following her disclosure, Marie and her family cooperated fully with the Gardaí, leading to a thorough investigation that spanned nearly three years. McNally was arrested and subsequently admitted to the numerous offenses, which included acts committed in various locations around Athlone. The court heard that he had engaged in these acts over a period of five years, with the abuse ceasing only when Marie reached 15.

At Dublin Central Criminal Court, McNally was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to the charges. The judge acknowledged the severity of his crimes and the impact on Marie’s life. Marie, now working in telesales and trying to rebuild her life, expressed relief and a sense of closure. She said, “I’m just so glad this is over, I feel like I can now begin to have a life.”

Surrounded by her family—her mother Kathleen, father Cecil, and sisters Tracie and Stephanie—Marie attended the sentencing hearing, which she described as a pivotal moment in her journey toward healing. She added, “My family have been just brilliant throughout all of this. They’ve been there every step of the way. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here today.”

Marie continues to attend counseling sessions regularly, which she credits with helping her cope with the trauma. She concluded, “It’s one day at a time but I’m getting there. I just want to forget about that man and move on with my life.”