Monaghan man jailed for sexual abuse of three younger siblings in ‘house of horrors’

Gerry Harte (71), of Co Monaghan, sexually abused two of his younger sisters and his younger brother during the 70s and 80s.

3.07pm, 24 Oct 2024

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A MAN WHO abused three younger siblings in a “house of horrors” has been jailed for eight years.

Gerry Harte (71) sexually abused two of his younger sisters and his younger brother during the 1970s and 1980s.

The Central Criminal Court heard that the victims have waived their right to anonymity to allow Harte of Tullynacrunat North, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, to be named.

In victim impact statements, two of the victims described growing up in a “house of horrors”.

Harte pleaded guilty on a trial date to 15 counts of indecent assault, five for each of the three victims.Imposing sentence today, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said each offence perpetrated by Harte against the victims stood at the “top end of seriousness” in relation to the offence of indecent assault, which carries a maximum sentence of two years.

He said a “consecutive element” to the sentences was required “to mark the serious and persistent nature of offending” and set a global headline sentence of 11 years.

The judge noted the aggravating factors include the nature of the offending, which was of a “gross kind”, the frequency of abuse, the length of time it continued and the impact on the victims.‘Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy’

In her victim impact statement, Ms Connors said she feared her parents going out as her older brother would be left in charge, and she knew what would happen.

She said Harte Snr was their mother’s “golden boy” and “the rest of us didn’t matter”. She said their mother wouldn’t have believed her if she told her.

Ms Connors said she never told her late husband about the abuse out of shame.  She said the abuse made her overprotective of her children and grandchildren. 

She said the lead-up to the court case was a “struggle” as she felt panic “knowing he was going to be there”.

She said she hoped this would bring some closure but knows the “road to recovery is a long way off”.

She said there are “constant reminders” of the abuse everywhere, adding she is trying to be strong for herself, her children and her siblings.

The court heard Harte Snr went to the home of the Ms Harte-Powell in the years following their mother’s death. She shouted at him not to come near the house.

Her husband spoke to him, and the man said, “I’m sorry for everything in the past”.