A 68-yr-old woman has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for the “heinous” sexual assault of two young men 30 years ago, reports RTE.
Josephine McMahon, from Kenmare, Railway Road, County Kerry, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually abusing two brothers between 1992 and 1996 before the Central Criminal Court.
The boys were between four and five and eight and 12 years old, respectively, at the time of abuse.
Judge Karen O’Connor said the maximum sentence for the crime at the time was five years and had to take mitigating factors into account.
McMahon appeared at the Central Criminal Court to be sentenced. She is currently in a wheelchair and has several serious health problems.
McMahon was picking rhubarb in the garden when she collapsed. The child laughed, so she took him into the bathroom, stuck a wooden spoon into him, and said, “you won’t laugh at me again”, reports RTE.
She also sexually assaulted the boy and his older brother on other occasions, including inappropriate touching and indecent exposure.
One of the boys spoke of his “crippling depression and anxiety” in the victim’s statement, reports RTE.
“I know I should feel grateful you pleaded guilty for sexually abusing me,” he said. “But I am left with so many unanswered questions. Why me?” reports RTE.
The maximum sentence for the crime at the time was five years, and the judge said he had to consider mitigating factors, including that McMahon’s health had deteriorated significantly and that she would need dialysis in the coming months.
She sentenced McMahon to three and a half years in prison with the last 12 months suspended.
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