Author: Vivienne Traynor
A former radio DJ, Nikki Hayes, avoided serving a sentence after a judge acknowledged her impressive efforts towards rehabilitation. Despite pleading guilty to possessing money from a money-laundering scam, her engagement in treatment for alcohol addiction and mental health, along with pursuing education in health and wellness, led to a turnaround in her situation. Judge Martina Baxter commended Hayes for her commitment to addressing her issues and noted that she had repaid the money involved in the scam. Despite acknowledging her role in the crime, the judge recognized her vulnerability and the fact that she had been manipulated at the…
A survivor of childhood sexual abuse is speaking out, calling on the Government to address the “epidemic” of abuse in Ireland. Keely O’Grady, 26, bravely waived her anonymity after her uncle, Ronan O’Grady, was sentenced to two years in jail for abusing her from ages six to nine. The abuse involved inappropriate touching, forced oral sex, and exposure to pornography. Despite enduring years of trauma and feeling silenced, Keely is now advocating for other survivors. She urges them to seek help and reclaim their power. This case sheds light on the harsh reality of child abuse in Ireland and the…
A tragic story unfolded in Ballycoughlan, Co Cork, where a 32-year-old man, Gearoid Coughlan, attempted to kill his mother while suffering from psychosis. Despite his mental health struggles with schizophrenia, he chose not to pursue a verdict of insanity, leading to a ten-year prison sentence. His mother, Mary Coughlan, highlighted failures in the mental health system that left her unaware of the danger her son posed. The judge imposed a 12-year sentence with the final two years suspended under strict conditions for six years, emphasizing the need for treatment and monitoring. Mary Coughlan’s powerful victim impact statement revealed the enduring…