Dianne Willmore, who passed from mesothelioma in 2009, won a landmark £240,000 case, holding Knowsley Borough Council liable for her asbestos exposure during school. Her case prompted legal and financial ramifications for local authorities nationwide, leading to increased awareness and changes in asbestos-related negligence proceedings.
Shane Flynn, 35, owner of a Mullingar clinic, was convicted of sexual assault after inappropriately touching a client seeking back pain relief. The investigation also revealed 18 hours of footage showing Flynn secretly filming 35 women during massages, raising further concerns about his conduct and abuse of trust within his practice.
Naveed Rana, a Dublin taxi driver, was sentenced to five and a half years for the assault of an 18-year-old woman after a night out. The court heard how Rana took advantage of the victim’s trust, driving erratically and assaulting her before being apprehended due to her quick actions in reporting the incident to Gardaí.
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69-year-old Patrick Honan of Doonbeg, Co Clare, has been jailed for the sexual abuse of his daughter Noreen, which spanned over 13 years. Honan, who was found guilty of 48 sample charges, including 25 counts of rape and 23 of indecent assault, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended.
The abuse which occurred at their family home began when Noreen was only three-and-a-half years old and continued until she was 16. Noreen has waived her anonymity for her abuser also to be named. Noreen described to the court how the abuse worsened over the years, with no significant breaks in the pattern.
She noted that the assaults became somewhat less frequent but more severe after she reached puberty, as there were fewer opportunities for her father to abuse her. The abuse survivor described the most traumatic time being when her mother was hospitalised for 53 days during her final pregnancy, giving Patrick unrestricted access to Noreen.
Judge Siobhán Lankford highlighted that Patrick Honan would use Noreen asking for money for typical childhood activities as an opportunity to demand sexual favours. She eventually disclosed to her mother that her father had been abusing her for years. He initially admitted to some incidents and apologised but later denied these admissions to the police.
Judge Lankford emphasised the gravity of Honan’s crimes, representing a significant breach of trust. The court acknowledged that Noreen should have felt nurtured and protected at home. The court praised the victim for her dignified conduct and courage throughout the proceedings.
Noreen made a brief statement following the sentencing, saying her father had robbed her of her entire youth, causing lifelong suffering. She has urged all victims of sexual abuse to come forward. Despite a plea from the defence to conceal Honan’s identity due to concerns about the impact on his grandchildren in their small rural town, the judge ruled that he lost the right to anonymity, especially since Noreen had chosen to have her name released.
Shane Flynn, 35, owner of a Mullingar clinic, was convicted of sexual assault after inappropriately touching a client seeking back pain relief. The investigation also revealed 18 hours of footage showing Flynn secretly filming 35 women during massages, raising further concerns about his conduct and abuse of trust within his practice.
Naveed Rana, a Dublin taxi driver, was sentenced to five and a half years for the assault of an 18-year-old woman after a night out. The court heard how Rana took advantage of the victim’s trust, driving erratically and assaulting her before being apprehended due to her quick actions in reporting the incident to Gardaí.
Pat Murphy, a 34-year-old father, died after a ruptured artery went undiagnosed at Cork University Hospital. Despite suffering severe chest pains, he faced a nine-hour wait for a CT scan, delayed further by a malfunctioning machine. His family claims this delay contributed to his tragic death.
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