PATRICK O’BRIEN'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BRAY, COUNTY WICKLOW: A LONG HISTORY OF ABUSE AND JUSTICE DELAYED

In a case that has spanned decades and shocked the community of Bray, County Wicklow, Patrick O’Brien, aged 72, has been at the center of a harrowing story of child sexual abuse inflicted upon his own daughter. The saga, which began in the early 1970s, culminated in a court hearing in Dublin where O’Brien admitted to a series of heinous crimes, including 16 charges of rape and indecent assault committed over a period of nearly ten years.

O’Brien’s abuse reportedly started on the night before his daughter’s First Holy Communion, a moment that marked the beginning of a decade-long nightmare for the victim. She recounted how her father’s assaults became a regular occurrence, often taking advantage of her mother’s night shifts to carry out his heinous acts. The victim described her father as a “monster” who, despite knowing his actions were wrong, continued to abuse her, leaving her feeling trapped and terrified.

Throughout her childhood, she endured repeated violations, which she later described as some of the worst cases of serial abuse a court could ever encounter. Her account detailed how her father would rape her at their family home in Dún Laoghaire from 1973 to 1982, often at least once a week. The trauma was compounded by her father’s attempts to manipulate her into silence, warning her that disclosure would tear the family apart and land him in prison.

As she grew older, the victim became increasingly withdrawn and shy, but her desire for a normal life led her to seek solace in activities like roller disco and college. Despite her efforts to move on, her past haunted her, and she eventually found the courage to confront her trauma through therapy and police investigations. Her journey to justice was long and painful, marked by setbacks and the heartbreaking realization that her initial attempts to seek legal redress in Ireland had failed due to insufficient evidence and her father’s denial.

In 2014, after a renewed investigation and the support of her family, she made a full statement to Irish police, which led to her father’s arrest. Patrick O’Brien, of Old Court Avenue, Bray, County Wicklow, was charged with multiple counts of rape and indecent assault. During the court proceedings in Dublin in January 2015, he admitted to the charges, revealing that the abuse had become “normal” and that he knew it was wrong but continued nonetheless. The court heard that the abuse began the night before his daughter’s Holy Communion and persisted for ten years.

Judge Mr Justice Paul Carney described the case as “one of the most serious cases of serial rape of a daughter” he had ever encountered. Initially, O’Brien was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with nine years suspended, allowing him to walk free after serving just a fraction of his sentence. This leniency sparked outrage and disappointment among victims and advocates for justice, prompting a review of the case.

Following the appeal, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Sean Ryan, determined that the original sentence was too lenient given the gravity of the crimes. The court upheld the 12-year term but suspended three years, taking into account O’Brien’s guilty plea and his health issues, which include diabetes and visual impairment. The court emphasized that despite his age and health problems, O’Brien’s conditions were manageable within the prison system and did not warrant special treatment.

During the hearing, Mr Justice Ryan highlighted that the appeal was primarily focused on the suspension of nine years, not the original sentence itself. He stressed that the 12-year term was appropriate and that O’Brien deserved to serve a significant portion of it. The court also acknowledged the importance of guilty pleas in such cases, as they acknowledge responsibility and can help prevent further trauma for victims. The court noted that should O’Brien’s health deteriorate, the authorities could consider measures such as remission or temporary release to accommodate his condition.

Despite the legal victory for justice, the victim expressed her mixed feelings. She voiced her relief that her father was behind bars but also her profound disappointment at the leniency of the sentence. She described her father as a “monster” who had finally received what she believed he “deserves,” and she declared that he was “back where he belongs.”

The case has reopened discussions about the handling of historical abuse cases in Ireland, highlighting the importance of thorough investigations and the courage of survivors to come forward. It also underscores the ongoing struggle for justice in cases of child sexual abuse, especially when the perpetrator is a family member and the evidence is difficult to establish.

In the broader context, this case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting scars inflicted by such crimes and the necessity for a justice system that recognizes the severity of abuse, regardless of the passage of time. The victim’s journey from silence to speaking out and finally seeing her abuser held accountable exemplifies resilience and the ongoing fight for truth and justice in Bray, County Wicklow, and across Ireland.