Sex abuser ‘stole my childhood and ruined my life’

A woman has told the High Court how her life “was ruined” and her “childhood stolen” by a man who sexually abused her over a 10-year period.

Sinead McCarthy-Garofalo, aged 45, Palmerstown Wood, Dublin, has sued former accountant, Bernard Delaney, who she says began sexually abusing her when she was four years of age. The abuse occurred at various locations in Dublin between 1972 and 1982.

As a result of the abuse, Ms McCarthy-Garofalo says she has suffered from depression, alcoholism, and been unable to form meaningful relationships with other people. In her action seeking damages against Delaney, she claims she has suffered ongoing personal injuries as a result of the sexual abuse, assault and battery she suffered.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, who will assess damages in the case today, also heard how the woman suffered from anorexia and cancer, which she says is linked to her abuse.

Delaney, with an address at Oaktree Lawn, Castleknock, Dublin, was jailed and sentenced to five years in jail by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in 2008 after pleading guilty to sexually and indecently assaulting seven girls during the 1970s and 1980s. He was released from Arbour Hill Prison over a year ago.

In addition to the criminal complaints she made against Delaney, Ms McCarthy-Garofalo instructed her solicitors to bring a civil claim against him.

Delaney, in his 70s, has not opposed the action, and the claim is before the court for assessment of damages only. He was not present in, nor was he legally represented yesterday. Judgment was obtained in Oct 2011 against Delaney on the case.

Yesterday, Ms McCarthy-Garofalo told the court her abuser was well known and was trusted in her locality and by her parents. The abuse, she said, commenced when she was very young and stopped when she was in her teens. It was many years later when she, and others, first made a formal complaint about Delaney. He “stole my childhood, and others as well”, she said.

She told the court she blamed herself for what had happened to her. The abuse had made her feel worthless. She was unable to bond or form proper relationships. During her adolescence and adulthood she got involved in what turned out to be abusive relationships.

On one occasion she came across Delaney while in Dublin city centre. She said she just had run away she was so upset.

In reply to her counsel, Richard Kean SC, she said her family had been brilliant to her. The worst thing for her was that her parents blamed themselves for what had happened to her. It was not their fault, she said.

She said believed her cancer and her anorexia were caused by the abuse she suffered. She also suffered from depression, has difficulty sleeping, and has flashbacks.

Psychologist Dr Kevin Lambe, who has counselled Sinead, said her life had been badly affected by the abuse. From a young age she ended up abusing alcohol and drugs, and ended up in what were chaotic relationships.

Dr Lambe said he has counselled hundreds of victims of abuse. He said Sinead’s case was “in the top three” of how badly she had suffered as result of what was done to her.