PATRICK O’DEA SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN LIMERICK GRAVEYARD CASE

In November 2018, a man named Patrick O’Dea, also known by the nickname ‘Whacker,’ was sentenced to 17 years in prison after being convicted of heinous crimes committed in Limerick. The court heard that O’Dea, aged 51 and residing on Pike Avenue in Limerick, had committed a series of sexual offenses against a 13-year-old girl, including rape in a graveyard, and had maintained a manipulative and abusive relationship with her over a period of time.

O’Dea pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial at the Central Criminal Court to charges of sexual assault and rape, which took place during 1994 and 1995. The victim, Leona O’Callaghan, chose to waive her right to anonymity so that her abuser could be publicly named, allowing the case to be reported in detail.

The court was informed that after the initial assault, the young girl was so badly affected that she sat on a basin of ice in her bedroom to help reduce bleeding and swelling. A few days following the first incident, O’Dea sought her out and pulled her away from her friends, expressing concern over blood on his jacket and insisting it be dry cleaned. During her testimony, Ms. O’Callaghan recounted that O’Dea told her her bleeding was due to her being a virgin and reassured her that the pain would lessen during subsequent encounters. He used disturbing language, claiming her virginity was a “wall” that was being broken down by her bleeding.

O’Dea’s criminal history is extensive, with 42 previous convictions, including a 15-year sentence for multiple rapes and sexual assaults of a girl over a six-year period from 1998 to 2004. Despite this, he continued to commit sexual offenses, demonstrating a pattern of predatory behavior.

Today, Ms. Justice Deirdre Murphy sentenced O’Dea to 18 and a half years in prison. She suspended the final 18 months of this sentence, taking into account his guilty plea and his cooperation in undergoing a psychological assessment. The assessment indicated that O’Dea poses an above-average risk of reoffending sexually and revealed that he lacks genuine insight into the harm caused by his actions.

In addition to the prison term, the judge imposed a three-year post-release supervision order and suspended the last 18 months of his sentence on the condition that O’Dea engage with the “Building Better Lives” sex offender treatment program. The court emphasized that O’Dea’s manipulation and isolation of the victim caused significant psychological damage, with the judge stating that his abuse had inflicted enormous harm on her mental health.

Garda Barry Manton provided details of the case, explaining that O’Dea first came into contact with Ms. O’Callaghan while she was socializing with her older sister and friends in the Garryowen area of Limerick. He gradually became fixated on her, giving her special attention and eventually assaulting her at a local waste ground, where he touched her breasts after kissing her. O’Dea later expressed a desire to “touch them for a long time.”

The abuse escalated, and O’Dea continued to sexually assault her in various locations, including a shed behind his mother’s house and his bedroom, where he had sex with her while his mother was nearby. The victim later disclosed these incidents to a teacher, prompting her parents to be contacted and the authorities to become involved.

Throughout the trial, O’Dea’s defense argued that his guilty plea demonstrated remorse and that he was neither physically nor emotionally abusive, though acknowledging his behavior was “wholly inappropriate and exploitative.” His childhood background was also discussed, with claims that he grew up in Limerick city and was of small stature, possibly due to malnourishment.

During the court proceedings, Ms. O’Callaghan delivered a powerful victim impact statement. She described how O’Dea’s manipulation and abuse profoundly affected her mental health, leading to suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and long-lasting trauma. She recounted sitting in a basin of ice after her first assault, feeling immense pain and confusion, and how her mind was forever altered by the abuse.

Ms. O’Callaghan explained that her self-esteem was shattered, and she was manipulated into believing that her abuser’s actions were acts of love. She detailed her struggles with depression, self-harm, and suicide attempts, including overdoses and attempts to drown herself. She also spoke about how the trauma impacted her relationships, her ability to trust, and her role as a mother.

Despite the pain inflicted, she expressed her resilience and her determination to rebuild her life. She emphasized that she is now a survivor, proud of her achievements such as excelling academically, establishing her own businesses, and raising her children. She declared that she refuses to let O’Dea’s actions define her future and that she is committed to healing and moving forward.

In conclusion, Ms. O’Callaghan addressed O’Dea directly, acknowledging the profound impact he had on her life but asserting her strength and resolve. She stated that she is not just a victim but a survivor who is working hard to create a better future for herself and her family, despite the scars of her past.