In 2017, the Offender Database recorded that Gerald O’Hara, then 65, was sentenced for the “calculated” and historical abuse of his two nieces. On Tuesday, 23 May 2017, O’Hara, of Beech Road, Limavady, County Londonderry, appeared at Londonderry Crown Court, where he was handed a nine-year sentence for eight counts of indecent assault.
The investigation established that the abuse occurred over a seven-year period between August 1980 and August 1987. O’Hara targeted one niece while she was babysitting in his home; while he rocked a crying child’s cot, he simultaneously assaulted the 13-year-old girl. He was also convicted of seven further counts of indecent assault against his other niece, who was aged between 10 and 17 at the time. These attacks occurred in various domestic settings, including a kitchen sink, a bathroom, and a coal bunker.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that O’Hara had a “chilling” manner during the abuse, with one victim recounting that he would “always look up and smile” at her as he assaulted her. Londonderry Crown Court heard that both women waived their right to anonymity to ensure their uncle’s crimes were made public. The judge noted that the victims had “prayed for it to be over” during the seven-year campaign of trauma in Limavady, County Londonderry.
The judge noted that the severity of the historical counts necessitated a lengthy custodial term to reflect the “wickedness” of the betrayal of trust. For his actions in Limavady, O’Hara was sentenced to nine years, comprising seven years in custody and a further two years on probation. The prosecution reported that the victims’ courage in bringing these decade-old crimes to light was the defining factor in achieving the conviction.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Northern Ireland, Gerald O’Hara was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Seven years in prison.
- Probation: Two years of supervision following his release.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated.
- SOPO: A five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Londonderry Crown Court following eight convictions for indecent assault.
Monitoring and Public Protection
O’Hara is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. Due to the “chilling” nature of the attacks in Limavady, County Londonderry, his management is subject to the highest level of oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, O’Hara must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Beech Road, Limavady, for the duration of his term. Authorities state that his history of exploiting family trust in domestic settings necessitates permanent and intense scrutiny of his living arrangements and social associations. Any breach of his registration conditions, the SOPO, or the terms of his licence will result in immediate arrest and a return to the Crown Court.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.