THREE Mid West survivors of sexual abuse have told a sitting of the Dáil that survivors deserve never to have to see their abusers again, particularly after release from prison.
Sonya Stokes, Leona O’Callaghan, and Shaneda Daly addressed TDs and senators about the Victims of Sexual Violence Civil Protection Orders Bill 2025 brought forward by Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy.
The bill provides that, at the same time as someone is convicted of a crime of sexual violence, a court could impose on order restraining the person convicted of the offence from approaching the victim.
Cliona Sadlier, executive director of Rape Crisis Ireland, was also in attendance and spoke in support of the bill.
Leona O’Callaghan, who represented the Haven Hub Trauma Support Group, having had a successful prosecution against Patrick ‘Wacker’ O’Dea in 2018, explained: “We have already endured a time where we had to have our safety jeopardised by these perpetrators, in coming forward we are putting ourselves and our safety at risk again.”
Ms O’Callaghan said “this legislation would be a step in giving some sense of safety back to us knowing we have a level of protection against them post release”.
“The little Leona that was full of fear as a child deserved that protection, adult Leona deserves it now but can’t get it.”
Shaneda Daly, who had to face the release of her father Harry Daly in recent years, after convictions of sexual abuse against her as a child, added that “nobody understands the terror that getting approached by your abuser brings to a victim”.
“This bill would be life changing for victims who have already had to endure the fear of their offenders and now deserve safety.”
Sonya Stokes, who had to also accept the release earlier this year of Joseph Hogan, who had repeatedly raped her as a child, hit out that “rape doesn’t end when the act ends. It lives on — in nightmares, in depression, in self-harm, in alcohol or drug abuse, and for some, tragically, in suicide. We survivors have been brave long enough. It’s time now for the State to be brave for us.”
“That’s why Matt Carthy’s Bill matters so deeply. It would mean that when a rapist or sexual predator is sentenced, a protection order can be put in place there and then — not months later, not after we’ve had to beg or chase updates.”
It is expected that the bill will be presented to members of the Oireachtas on November 25 for a decision on whether or not it will be introduced in legislation.