Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
TWO WOMEN WHOSE stepfather was yesterday jailed for eight years with the final 18 months suspended have said they will never forgive him or their mother.
Emma and Vanessa Witherow from Tipperary waived their right to anonymity so that John Joe Patterson, 55, who ran a Christmas hamper delivery business in Co Tipperary, could be named in the media.
Patterson’s wife Frances, the girls’ mother, stood by him, despite his guilty plea.
Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk FM today, Emma said that she was “still in shock” and “relieved” about the sentence.
Vanessa said that it was a “long road” to justice for herself and her sister, who were abused for a decade.
“I was expecting him to get more [time in prison] but at least we have some closure,” said Emma who said that there was “no closure with my mother”.
I am a mother myself and I would never do that to my kids.
Vanessa said that Frances “did not deserve the word mother”.
“She picked him over us and I hope she regrets it.”
Speaking outside court yesterday, Vanessa said that their relationship would never be mended.
It’s a mother’s job to protect her children and she didn’t protect us.
“She let us down.
“Never will I speak to her again.”
Emma told Kenny that she left the house with her sister when she was 18 and Vanessa was 13.
Both girls had been abused since the age of nine.
Emma said that Frances told her that she was worried about “having no-one” if she sided with her daughters.
Emma said that she would like to see her mother face charges for not reporting the crimes.
They both said that they were called liars in the build-up to the case and had lost contact with their brothers.
“It was very hurtful. We weren’t lying, we were telling the truth, and [the sentence] proved it,” said Vanessa.
“To be constantly called liars over and over again was so hard. But (our allegations) are proven, and it’s closed today, and everyone knows now we were telling the truth,” added Emma.
Both said that they now see themselves as survivors, and paid tribute to the gardaí who
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The farmers will be over the MOOn!
But will the sheep farmers be MAAAd?
They may have some beef with this ☺️
You’re getting the chop for that comment Katie
Definitely upping the steaks with these comments
It still won’t increase the prices for them, hopefully it helps a small bit,
Where is this app and what is it called? This is the least informative article I’ve read outside of d’indo.
Does this app prevent price fixing and cartel actions.
Exactly!
Perhaps an app that identified cartels and crony/mercantilist state policies might be of more benefit to beef farmers.
Any idea when this will be launched?
‘Tis all a load of bullocks
The filthy state of the animals in the marts would turn anybody off bidding, give them a good shammoo before selling will help no end
What is wrong with you?
Not using conditioner?
have your say