RAY MULVEY'S SHOCKING SEX ABUSE CASE IN CO CORK AND CO KILDARE: VICTIM BREAKS SILENCE AFTER 6-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE

In a deeply distressing case that has shocked communities across Co Cork and Co Kildare, a woman who endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of her father, Ray Mulvey, has spoken out publicly following his sentencing. The 66-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges of sexual assault, including rape, committed against his own daughter over a span of more than a decade.

The victim, who chose to waive her right to anonymity in a bid to inspire others to come forward, detailed the long-lasting impact of her father's actions. She revealed that the abuse began when she was just five years old, in 1975, and persisted until she left her family home at the age of 17. Her testimony shed light on the profound emotional scars left by her father's misconduct.

Following her father's guilty plea, she expressed that her decision to speak out was an essential step in her healing process. She stated, "Today I see it as an important part of the healing process for me and my family." She also emphasized her hope that her courage would encourage other victims of abuse to seek help and break their silence, saying, "I’ve waived my right to anonymity in the hope it will give others the courage to speak out and seek help if they are in a similar situation."

The court heard that Mulvey's abuse began when the family was residing in an Army house at the Curragh, where he would manipulate and sexually assault his daughter. Detective Garda Sean Stack testified that Mulvey would initially get his daughter to touch him, and as she grew older, he would touch her private parts. The court was told that the abuse escalated to rape when she was 15 years old, with Mulvey admitting to raping her on at least two occasions. The assaults took place at various locations in both Co Kildare and Co Cork, including the family home in Co Cork, where he also admitted to raping her on an unspecified date between August 1987 and August 1988.

Details of the abuse emerged during the trial, with the victim recounting how she confided in her mother about the abuse in 1997. Her mother confronted Mulvey, who then admitted to the allegations. Three years later, the victim reported the abuse to the Gardaí, revealing that the assaults occurred at least once a month. Mulvey told investigators that he believed his behavior was caused by something wrong with his mind and claimed he could not control himself, which the court considered as part of his remorse.

Throughout her testimony, the victim described how the years of abuse forced her to wear a metaphorical mask, hiding her pain from the world. She expressed her relief at being able to finally remove that mask, stating, "I can now take off the mask." She also urged others who have suffered similar abuse to come forward, emphasizing the importance of reporting such crimes.

She reflected on how her father's actions affected her personal relationships, noting that her father’s behavior would have frightened away any potential boyfriends. She wondered what her life might have been like if her father had been a caring parent instead of a sexual abuser. Her words underscored the profound emotional toll the abuse had taken on her.

Judge Paul Carney sentenced Mulvey to a total of 12 years imprisonment, but suspended the final six years, effectively reducing his time behind bars. The judge declared Mulvey a sex offender, acknowledging the severity of his crimes. Following the sentencing, the victim expressed her feelings, saying, "I felt like I was a deceiver all my life," and added, "I just want to let people know that I haven’t been real and from today on (I will)." Her courage in speaking out has brought attention to the ongoing issue of child sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims.