SHANE COSTELLO CAVAN MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF STEPDAUGHTER AND CHILDREN

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Cavan, Shane Costello, a 49-year-old former soldier and bus driver residing at Hillview, Ballyhaise, was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against three children, including his own stepdaughter.

Costello’s criminal activities came to light after a trial held at the Central Criminal Court last March, where he was convicted of multiple counts of rape, oral rape, and attempted oral rape. The charges stemmed from incidents that occurred in 2012, involving his teenage stepdaughter, who was between 13 and 14 years old at the time. Despite initially pleading not guilty to two counts of rape, one of oral rape, and three counts of attempted oral rape, the jury’s verdicts led to a significant shift in his legal standing.

Following the jury’s decision, Costello later admitted to sexually assaulting two other children over a period spanning from 2001 to 2013. His criminal record also includes two previous convictions for assault causing harm, dating back to 1998, which further underscores a pattern of violent and abusive behavior.

During the court proceedings, Garda Joanne Carolan provided testimony to prosecutor Mary Rose Gearty SC, revealing that Costello denied all allegations at the time of his arrest. The victim, his now 19-year-old stepdaughter, chose to waive her right to anonymity and read a powerful victim impact statement in court. She described how the abuse had robbed her of her childhood, innocence, and dignity, leaving her with deep emotional scars.

She recounted her struggles with suicidal thoughts and her ongoing battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which causes her to be easily triggered by memories, leading to daily flashbacks. Her account painted a picture of a young woman who endured years of sadness, isolation, and depression, expressing her hatred for being labeled a victim. She emphasized that words could not fully capture the physical and mental pain inflicted upon her, and she doubted that any counseling could erase her suffering.

Despite her trauma, she expressed hope for the future, stating, “The past will never change, the pain will never leave, but I’m trying to make my future better.” She also detailed how Costello manipulated and intimidated her over the years, but finally felt safe after the jury’s guilty verdicts.

Justice Ní Raifeartaigh commended her for her remarkable strength and dignity in giving evidence, acknowledging the courage it took to confront her abuser in court. The judge sentenced Costello to nine years and nine months for the abuse of his stepdaughter, with additional consecutive sentences for the other offenses, culminating in a total prison term of 15 years.

The court heard that Costello’s first known assault on his stepdaughter occurred on a mattress in Cavan, after he had bought her alcohol. She described crying all night after the attack, and noted that he made no mention of the incident the following day. Further into the trial, she recounted how he raped and orally raped her when they were alone at home, laughing after forcing her into oral sex. She also revealed that he attempted to repeat the oral rape multiple times afterward.

In a poignant moment during the sentencing, Ms Justice Ní Raifeartaigh remarked on the difficulty of translating human suffering into figures, expressing hope that the victims could eventually move on with their lives. After being found guilty, Costello publicly stated that his victims were blameless and accepted the jury’s verdict, though the damage inflicted upon them remains profound and lasting.