Man pleads guilty to sexually abusing daughter, sister-in-law

A man in Limerick has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges against his daughter and sister-in-law. Christopher O’Mahony, 67, is described as a "paedophile and monster." His actions have caused severe distress in the family. O'Mahony admitted to multiple counts of indecent assault and sexual assault. This includes ten assaults on his sister-in-law, Helen Costelloe, and seven on his daughter, Emma O’Shaughnessy. The abuse started in the 1980s and continued for several years. Prosecutors explained that O'Mahony was controlling and manipulative. He rationed toilet paper for his daughters and abused them in private settings. Costelloe spoke of how he used secretive language to manipulate her. The abuse came to light after Costelloe called a family meeting in 2021. This was after she revealed her suffering to some family members. During the meeting, O’Shaughnessy's similar experience of abuse was also shared. The revelations have created a "civil war" within their family, making it hard for some relatives to accept the truth. O'Mahony's abusive behavior toward his daughter began when she was just ten years old. The suffering continued for three years. Both women shared their victim impact statements in court while O'Mahony remained emotionless. The judge, Sinead McMullan, has kept O'Mahony in custody and will deliver a sentence later this week. He has also been added to the sex offenders register.