Mother says teen son 'vindicated' as his rapist gets 10 years in jail

51-year-old provided 'late' plea of guilty on 27 sample charges of rape and sexual assault on boy between 2015 and 2019

Ms Justice Caroline Biggs described the victim as an 'incredibly strong human being'.

The mother of a teenager subjected to “unspeakable” rape as a child has said that a 10-year sentence handed down to his rapist has “vindicated” her son.

She said her son “has been heard and has been listened to” and that the sentence imposed on a 51-year-old Offaly man enables them to “put down the heavy load they have been carrying for a long time”.

The mother spoke after the Central Criminal Court sentenced the man to 10 years and nine months for rape, with the final nine months suspended on condition he engage in rehabilitation.

The man provided a “late” plea of guilty on 27 sample charges of rape and sexual assault on the boy when he was aged between 10 and 14 between 2015 and 2019.

“No sentence will ever be enough, but this is a good day and there is a bit of relief,” she told the Irish Examiner. 

We can put down this heavy load that we have been carrying for a long time. 

"My son has been vindicated — he was heard and he was believed.

“There is still a long recovery, but justice has been served and it will make it easier for my son to get on with his life.”

She commended comments made by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs to her son, describing him as an “incredibly strong human being”.

The mother said: “She was very kind, very reassuring, very motherly, while keeping her professionalism and her thoroughness.” 

Her son, who turns 19 next month, provided a victim impact statement last month, which the judge described as “profound”.

His mother said her son’s bravery ensured his rapist was in jail and urged other victims of rape and sexual abuse to contact gardaí.

We were heard and listened to and cared for and I’d like to thank the gardaí involved."

She also thanked the therapists in the Alders Unit in Tallaght Hospital.

She said there was a “child sexual abuse epidemic” in Ireland and said it was urgent that parents and society “make it a conversation” and talk to children about it, in order to protect them.