Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3385Sexual abuse (rape, sexual assault, indecent assault) · Co. Sligo

Noel Farrell, 70, jailed for 20 years for sexually abusing five children in Co. Sligo

Noel Farrell, 70, was sentenced to 20 years at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse, including rape, against his four daughters and one son in County Sligo over two decades. His daughter Jessica Farrell, 48, said she has forgiven him, while her brother Christopher said he does not.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJessica was taken into a room at a relative's house and sexually abused. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHer father offered her money for sweets so she would stay quiet. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatJessica went into foster care aged four. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFarrell falsely told Jessica he had already served two years behind bars for the abuse. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe children were often locked in a room for days at a time without food. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOn special occasions like Christmas the children did not receive presents. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe abuse included rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatChristopher said it took him nearly 40 years to figure out the abuse. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe abuse took place in different locations in County Sligo across two decades. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenJessica was three-and-a-half when her father started to abuse her. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenChristopher was aged one-and-a-half when their father first abused him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeFarrell pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse against his four daughters and one son. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeFarrell pleaded guilty to the rape and indecent assault of Jessica. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtSentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceNoel Farrell was jailed for 20 years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe children waived their right to anonymity so Farrell could be named publicly. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Apr2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Woman raped by Irish dad aged three and forced to drink urine forgives monster

    Victims Jessica and Christopher Farrell speak on Virgin Media News about their complex feelings following their father's 20-year sentence, with Jessica saying she has forgiven him and Christopher saying he does not.

    victim, Jessica Farrell, 48, female, irish (judged from name)Jessica Farrellvictim, Christopher Farrell, male, irish (judged from name)Christopher Farrellvictim, female, irish (judged from name)victim, Amanda Farrell, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Farrellconvicted, Noel Farrell, 70, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Farrell