Case background and sentencing in Ireland
A 63-year-old man has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years after being convicted of rape involving a boy who was 11 years old at the time of the abuse. The offender, Joseph Campbell of Castle Court, Daingean, Co Offaly, is the father of the victim’s stepmother. Campbell maintains his innocence and has not accepted the jury’s verdict.
The case was brought before the Central Criminal Court, where Campbell faced a trial last year. The charges included what the court described as section 4 rape — anal rape — occurring at the boy’s home in October 2017. Additional counts of sexual assault from December 2021 were considered in sentencing, though the jury had already found him guilty on the principal charges.
Victim impact and impact statements
During the sentencing hearing, the survivor, Devin O’Donnell, 19, read a victim impact statement. He chose to waive anonymity so Campbell could be named in reporting the case. In carefully chosen, emotionally charged words, he explained how the abuse affected his life and sense of self. He said, “You didn’t just hurt me in that moment, you changed how I experienced the world. You planted silence inside me.” He described a long period of silence and shame, and affirmed that he is no longer the “scared little child.”
Mr O’Donnell continued, “I’m speaking now, not because I’m over it but because I am choosing to fight for myself, even when it is hard.” He insisted that while the act stole parts of his life, it did not steal his strength, future, or his ability to heal. He concluded that he remains here and is reclaiming his voice and life.
Judicial remarks and sentence reasoning
Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring presided over the sentencing. In remarks that acknowledged Mr O’Donnell’s resilience and the profound breach of trust, she highlighted that Campell’s conduct involved preying on a vulnerable child, and that the offender used his position as a grandfather figure within the family structure to manipulate and abuse. In sentencing, the judge described the harm as extensive, including the psychological and emotional abuse that accompanied the physical harm.
Although Campbell did not accept the verdict and showed limited insight or victim empathy, the court did take into account that he has no prior convictions. The judge initially set a headline sentence of 11 years, later reducing it to ten years, and suspended the final 18 months to ease his re-entry into society. The sentence was delivered with the final terms that include a non-contact order with the victim for the duration of Campbell’s imprisonment and for five years after release, plus a 12-month Probation Service engagement on release.
Aggravating features and protections for the victim
Judicial notes identified aggravating features: Campbell’s role as a family-oriented figure who breached trust and used that trust to commit abuse. The court emphasized that no child should suffer abuse at the hands of someone they are led to trust. While Campbell has no prior convictions, the judge stressed that the impact on the victim was profound and lasting.
Victim support, education, and future outlook
In a related line from the proceedings, the judge offered supportive remarks to the survivor regarding education and personal development. The court acknowledged recovery and the possibility of rebuilding one’s life through education or training. For the survivor, the impact statement symbolized a turning point: a declaration of reclaiming agency and a message to others who have endured similar harm that healing is possible.
What happens next
Campbell will serve the eight-and-a-half-year term, with the final 18 months suspended. He is prohibited from direct or indirect contact with the survivor during imprisonment and for five years post-release. Upon release, he is required to engage with Probation Services for 12 months and to participate in corrective measures as prescribed by the court. The survivor’s courage in coming forward has drawn attention to the ongoing needs of survivors and the importance of accessible support services for victims of sexual violence.
Community and justice implications
The case underlines the seriousness with which the Irish judiciary treats child sexual abuse and the role of survivor voices in shaping sentencing and post-trial expectations. It also reinforces that victims can and should be supported in pursuing justice, and that accountability remains a cornerstone of the criminal-justice response to abuse.
