Christopher O'Mahony jailed for nine years for sexual assault of daughter and sister-in-law
Christopher O'Mahony, 67, a former council rates collector from Ardagh, Co Limerick, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to 18 sample counts of sexually assaulting and indecently assaulting his daughter Emma O'Shaughnessy and his sister-in-law Helen Costelloe in the 1980s and 1990s. The two victims, who waived their anonymity, spoke out after sentencing calling for better supports for rape crisis centres.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Mar
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports5 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAnother particularly serious offence involved forcing himself on Costelloe as she was using a public toilet in Glin in 1987. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe arranged that Costelloe would wash his hair and abused her while she carried out the chore. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe abuse occurred on dates in the 1980s and 1990s. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetective Garda James Muldowney of the Limerick Garda Divisional Protective Services Unit led the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeState prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley prosecuted the case. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Mar2025'Monster, paedophile' dad jailed as victims of horrific abuse speak out
Reports the nine-year sentence and includes post-sentencing statements from both victims calling for improved victim services, as well as the judge's remarks on the most serious offences and the breach of trust.
victim, female, irish (judged from name)victim, Helen Costelloe, female, irish (judged from name)Helen Costelloeconvicted, 67, male, irish (judged from name) - 20 Mar2025‘Monster’ jailed for nine years for sexually abusing daughter and sister-in-law
Provides extensive sentencing detail: the judge's remarks, victim-impact statements, the family meeting on 4 July 2021 that triggered disclosure, O'Mahony's self-surrender at Henry Street Garda station three days later, specific incidents including the Glin public toilet assault in 1987 and the bathroom acne-cream pretext, and the victims' calls for better rape crisis centre supports.
victim, female, irish (judged from name)victim, Helen Costelloe, female, irish (judged from name)Helen Costelloeconvicted, 67, male, irish (judged from name)