KERRY rape victim, Ms Caroline Carey, has left Ireland with her husband and family following threats that she and her four children would be raped and "cut into little pieces", the mother of four has revealed this week.
Ms Carey and her Duagh-born husband, Eamonn, have been shunned by people in the Duagh area of Co Kerry since December when a former factory worker, Liam Sheehy (28), of Duagh, was convicted on a 10-to-I majority verdict of raping his neighbour, English born Ms Carey.
The pressure on the Carey family intensified after Sheehy was sentenced on March 28th to seven years in jail for the rape by Judge Frederick Morris in the Central Criminal Court.
After the sentencing Ms Carey became only the second victim of rape in the Republic to speak publicly about her ordeal, saying she did so to encourage other rape victims to make complaints to the Gnrda. Ms Lavinia Kerwick was the first rape victim to speak publicly about her ordeal.
Ms Carey, who lived in Duagh, six miles from Listowel, told reporters after Sheehy was sentenced: "If they (rape victims) see that I can handle it, with all the intimidation that I have received, then they can too."
Ms Carey confirmed this week that she has left Ireland for good to live in Southampton, England, and asked the media not to publish her address.
"I have not run away from anyone. I left to secure the safety and future of my children following the death threats which were made against me and them," she said.
Insp Martin McCarthy, of Listowel, said a file was being prepared by gardai for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions on the death threats, sent by letter to Ms Carey and her family.
It is understood that detailed forensic testing of the letters has enabled the Garda to make extensive progress in their investigation, enabling them to have enough evidence to send a detailed file to the DPP.
In April, Ms Carey said she was extremely upset about one letter which said that she and her children would be raped and "cut into little pieces" unless she left Duagh by May 6th. Neither the Garda nor Ms Carey have been able to attach any significance to the May 6th date.
At the time, Ms Carey said she would not be intimidated into leaving Duagh but she has now confirmed that the family is to sell its new bungalow outside the village and move to Southampton.
Mr Eamonn Carey is at present in Duagh to make arrangements to transport the family's possessions to Southampton and dispose of the family home.