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Sligo Father Jailed for 20 Years for Decades of Sexual Abuse of His Children

Four of the five survivors waived anonymity to identify 70-year-old Noel Farrell.

Overview

  • Farrell pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to three rapes and 19 counts of indecent and sexual assault against his four daughters and one son between 1979 and 1997.
  • Mr Justice Tony Hunt set a 30-year headline sentence, reduced it to 20 years, and ruled out post-release supervision due to Farrell’s age while ordering sex-offender registration.
  • The court heard evidence of extreme neglect, including children locked for days without food and forced to drink urine.
  • Victim impact statements described lasting harm to mental health, relationships, and livelihoods, as well as addiction issues and years spent in care.
  • After sentencing, siblings spoke publicly, described their father as a “monster,” and said the outcome finally made them feel heard.