Sex abuse of child led to suicide 18 years on

A JUDGE yesterday ruled that sexual abuse perpetrated on an eight-year-old girl by a neighbour was the cause of her suicide 18 years later.

Jane Roberts, aged 26, of Coolcashin, Gathabawn, Co Kilkenny, took her own life on October 23, 2000.

She had suffered a psychiatric illness and had received treatment in a number of hospitals during the previous 18 months.

Ms Roberts had been sexually abused in 1982 or 1983 by John Bowden, now aged 62, of Baleen, Gathabawn.

Her father Dave Roberts and family yesterday won an unprecedented civil action in the circuit court.

In their case, the family claimed the sexual abuse committed on Jane by Mr Bowden had directly led to her psychiatric illness and her suicide. Judge Alice Doyle agreed and awarded the Roberts family €25,395 — the maximum allowed under the relevant civil liability legislation — and their costs.

Evidence in the case was heard at Kilkenny Circuit Court in June with the judgment delivered yesterday in Clonmel Circuit Court.

Judge Doyle referred to evidence called by the plaintiffs and given by consultant psychiatrist Dr Brian McCaffrey, who studied all the medical records and notes relating to Ms Roberts. The judge said Dr McCaffrey’s opinion “was that her illness was caused by child sexual abuse and, as a result of that illness, Jane committed suicide”.

The judge also referred to patient records handed into court which had “constant references to personality disorder in the context of child sexual abuse”.

The abuse and assault suffered by Ms Roberts took place in a public swimming pool in Thurles when she was about eight. A complaint was made by Ms Roberts in 1999 to the gardaí in respect of the sexual assault. In 2000, Mr Bowden admitted the offence. But, as Ms Roberts died a year later, no criminal prosecution was taken.

The plaintiff in the civil case claimed that, as a result of the abuse, Ms Roberts suffered severe psychological damage, including borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual difficulties and depression.

Ms Roberts left school after her Intermediate Cert and took up a FÁS course, eventually completing a carpentry apprenticeship with her father. She became ill in February of 1999 and was treated at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny, as well as Beaumont Hospital and St Canice’s Hospital in Kilkenny. Aged 24, she suffered seizures and was comatose on one occasion. Her condition was found to be of a pseudo-psychiatric nature.

There were a number of suicide attempts, including one in 1999, discovered by neighbour Renee Fitzpatrick and parish priest Fr Pat O’Farrell. After she succeeded in taking her own life, notes were found in her wardrobe.

Judge Doyle referred yesterday to Dr McCaffrey’s opinion that the psychiatric illness that surfaced in 1999 would have been “latent”.

Another consultant psychiatrist, Dr James Morrison, was called by the defence last month and, after studying the medical files, said that Ms Roberts may have been suffering from schizophrenia or a schizo-affective disorder, rather than a psychiatric illness that stemmed from the sexual abuse.

“I prefer the evidence of Dr McCaffrey,” said Judge Doyle. “And also from careful reading through the notes and, in particular, the discharge summaries which have constant references to personality disorder in the context of child sexual abuse.”

Applying for costs, the plaintiff’s barrister David Humphries BL pointed out Mr Roberts and his family had not taken the case for financial gain and had not claimed for loss of dependency in relation to their daughter or for funeral costs.

Judge Doyle also awarded all costs to the plaintiffs.