In the 1980s and 1990s Derry O’Rourke was one of Ireland’s top swimming coaches; he took his proteges to the Olympics, he trained children in several Dublin clubs and he was regarded as a God in the sport – he was also a prolific child sex abuser.
This week he was sentenced to 10 years in jail for the rape of a 13-year-old he coached in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now in her 40s, his victim gave a statement to the court on Tuesday, every detail a painful reminder of the lifelong impact of sexual abuse.
It was not his first time in court. He was first jailed in 1998 for 12 years after he pleaded guilty to 29 sexual offences involving 11 girls. In 2000, he was convicted on 19 charges involving six girls, some as young as 10 years of age. In 2005, the prolific paedophile admitted to more charges of rape and indecent assault on children.
In all cases women have come forward to tell a succession of courts what happened to them when they were children and their testimonies have been as harrowing as they have been powerful.
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Irish Times columnist Justine McCarthy reported on that first trial in the 1990s and has spoken to many of his victims. In this podcast she outlines the devastating impact the vile predator had on his victims.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast you can contact the national 24-hour rape crisis helpline: 1800 778888 or One in Four at 01 662 4070
