The launch of the official programme for the first annual Sligo Festival took place in Kennedy’s Bar last weekend. The event was attended by a capacity crowd of figures from across the local art and political scenes who have lent their support to the festival. Rory Concannon and Karl Kelly, two of the organisers, spoke […]
You can come forward, there s no shame in it. That was the message of sexual abuse survivor Patrick Walsh at Sligo Courthouse after his abuser Edward Tighe was sentenced to a total of one year and nine months in prison.
Mr Walsh, now aged 56, told The Sligo Champion he hoped that by going public with his story it would encourage other victims of sexual abuse to come forward. I don t have to hide it any more. I had to get it out of my system and hopefully by naming and shaming him and going public others will come forward. If there s anyone in Sligo, don t be afraid to go to the garda station. Mr Walsh said. I m glad, he s gone down. Justice has finally been done.
A Summerhill College teacher, a Sea Scouts leader and a person who was described as trusted in the community was sentenced to one year and 9 months in prison for sexually assaulting three teenage boys in the late 70s and 1980s at Sligo Circuit Court yesterday (Monday, February 1st).
Edward Tighe (73) of Salmon Court, Ballisodare pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault in 1978, 1982 and 1986, during the time he was an English and Latin teacher in Summerhill.
The case, heard by Judge Francis Comerford, was told that one of the victims, Patrick Walsh, wanted to waive his right to anonymity. All three men had harrowing Victim Impact Statements read out in court which detailed the serious consequences the abuse they suffered had on them, their families and their relationships in the decades that followed.
The death occurred at the weekend of former Sligo County Registrar, Kieran McDermott, Oyster Bay, Rosses Point, who was also heavily involved in GAA in the county.
Mr McDermott (80), a native of Riverstown, and formerly of Kintogher, Drumcliff passed away peacefully on Sunday after an illness. He is survived by his wife Nuala, children Garrett, Dara, Niamh and Ciarán. He was predeceased by daughter, Ruth.
A private funeral Mass will take place in St. Colmcille s Church, Rathcormac, at 12 noon today (Tuesday, 19th) with burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery. Donations if desired to Parkinsons Association of Ireland. Mr McDermott established his own practice as a solicitor in Stephen Street, Sligo in the early 1960 s.