PAUL O’BRIEN FROM BALLYNAHINCH PLEADS GUILTY TO DECADES OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN BELFAST

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Ballynahinch and the wider Belfast area, Paul O’Brien, a 32-year-old man from Ballynahinch, has admitted to a prolonged campaign of sexual abuse against two young girls spanning over a decade. The case was heard at Belfast’s Laganside Court on Monday, April 17, where O’Brien pleaded guilty to 24 out of the 33 charges he faced, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

O’Brien’s admissions include a series of serious offenses against one of the victims, with 13 charges acknowledged. These charges encompass acts such as gross indecency with or towards a child, multiple counts of indecent assault on a female, and five counts of rape. The details of these allegations reveal a pattern of predatory behavior that persisted over many years, causing profound trauma to the victim.

Furthermore, O’Brien also admitted to 11 charges related to the second girl, which include a count of rape, eight counts of indecent assault on a female, and inciting gross indecency with a child. These admissions underscore the extent of his alleged misconduct and the severity of the crimes committed.

The court has scheduled O’Brien’s sentencing for June 6 at Laganside Crown Court, where the full weight of justice will be considered. The case has garnered significant attention, not only because of the heinous nature of the crimes but also due to the impact on the victims, who have shown remarkable courage in coming forward.

One of the victims, speaking out publicly, expressed her anguish and the lasting scars left by O’Brien’s actions. She stated, “You destroyed my childhood & adulthood. You made me mentally sick over the years and made me be an adult as a child. Your actions have caused me so much hurt, loss, and rage of anger.” She described how her trust in others has been shattered and how her perception of love has been forever altered due to the abuse.

She continued, “I don’t trust anyone because of you and I certainly don’t feel loved by anyone because I’ll never understand love because of you. I hate the body I am in, I hate my mind now because I have to think differently about every situation! You robbed me of so, so much—the list goes on.”

Despite the immense pain inflicted, she also expressed resilience, saying, “You won’t rob me of my strength to stand up and fight against people like you anymore. It’s finally over for us—not mentally or emotionally, but physically it’s over.” The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating impact of abuse and the importance of justice for victims.