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. 3994Sexual assault · Co. Kerry

OIP investigation into death of Josephine McMahon, convicted of sexually abusing two boys in Kerry

Josephine McMahon, 69, was convicted in 2023 of sexually abusing two boys in Kerry during the 1990s and sentenced to two-and-a-half years. An OIP investigation into her death in prison on 1 January 2025 found she had phoned her sister on Christmas Eve saying 'I'm going downhill' before being transferred to the Mater Hospital, where she died.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced27 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe abuse occurred at an address in Kerry on dates between 1992 and 1996. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMcMahon died on 1 January 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenShe was pronounced dead at 2:40pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe OIP investigated her death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeShe pleaded guilty to two sample counts of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe boys were aged between four and 12 at the time of the abuse. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherShe was serving her sentence as a protected prisoner in the Dóchas Centre on the Mountjoy campus. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherShe had end-stage renal failure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and osteoporosis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherShe suffered with leg ulcers and required a walking frame or wheelchair. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherShe had no in-person visits during her 18 months in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherShe was transferred to the Mater Hospital due to abnormal blood test results and underwent emergency surgery. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherShe was due to be fitted with a pacemaker on 7 January 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe abuse began after McMahon fell over while the boys were picking rhubarb in a garden. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherOn the second occasion of sexual assault, she urinated in his bath and attacked him with a wooden spoon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe other complainant was abused when aged between eight and 12. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Jan2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Woman jailed for sexually abusing two boys phoned sister before she died

    OIP investigation into her death in the Dóchas Centre on 1 January 2025; details of the original abuse, her prison conditions, medical history and the circumstances of her death are provided.

    convicted, Josephine McMahon, 69, female, named, irish (judged from name)Josephine McMahonvictim, malevictim, male