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THE DAUGHTER of the 72-year-old man who was initially bailed – and then jailed – after pleading guilty to 16 counts of rape and sexual abuse against her, has given an interview expressing their thanks to the public for its support.
Fiona Doyle appeared on the Late Late Show to thank the general public, and in particular the people of Bray, for the support they had shown her in the wake of court proceedings involving her father Patrick O’Brien earlier this week.
O’Brien pleaded guilty to the charges at the Central Criminal Court on Monday – but was granted bail, pending an appeal against the severity of his 12-year sentence in which the last nine years were suspended.
However, on Thursday – following a wave of public outrage at the decision to allow O’Brien walk free pending his appeal – Justice Paul Carney reversed his earlier decision and withdrew bail.
Last night Doyle said the support from the public following Monday’s original hearing had given her the strength to continue seeking justice against her father.
The Facebook page, the people of Bray, the nation… [...] All I can describe is that they carried people. People carried me.I walked out those court doors in awful [form]… I left my mother sitting inside in there. I was nearly on the verge of asking her if she was alright for a lift home.
She also thanked her children, who had shown her tremendous support when she first decided to pursue action against her father and again in recent days.
Asked how she felt seeing her father in the courtroom, she said: “Pity. I mean, he’s still my Dad.”
Doyle also spoke about the effects that the abuse – which began when she was three or four years old – had had on her life growing up.
“I couldn’t make productive decisions – I didn’t trust myself,” he said. “I got into disastrous relationships that got me into even more problems.
“I didn’t abuse myself – I wasn’t a drinker or anything like that – but I was angry. I had an awful anger inside me.
I piled on the weight. I didn’t feel attractive. I hated everything about me. But of course, nobody knew, because this was hidden from everybody.
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Fiona Doyle is a hero. To go through the abuse she suffered and to come out a strong woman is enough, but then to have the courage to see the court case through and to go public when justice let her down shows true bravery. I’m so glad that most of Ireland has moved on from squinting windows and pointing fingers. Women like Ms Doyle going public doesn’t make her a topic of gossip, but a beacon for others who suffer abuse.
I wish her and her family every good fortune for the rest of their lives. Lord knows they deserve it after last week.
Remarkable! Resilient! Courageous!
Shocked and annoyed to think its taking 20 years for this lady to get justice !! …shame on our system …and SHAME ON HER MOTHER for not protecting her young daughter
How a woman could defend her husband, after he admitted it and disown her own child. She is not a mother and is more guilty than her husband
Poor woman!! Justice system in this country is a shambles!
Its like a clunked-out motor, recklessly driven by the Eu. Now you know why it’s “a shambles”.
Beautiful woman, inside and out. Hopefully now she can properly move on with her life and have many happy years with her immediate family.
Heroic,a role model that is all
Thought she gave a very truthful and honest interview that really moved me. Unbelievable bravery shown by this woman. Wishing her all the happiness in the world for the future
I was at the protest today so many ppl suffering in silence for too long! Hopefully Fionas story and bravery will give some people courage and hope in their lives! It shouldn’t hurt to be a child! The justice system needs a good shaking when it comes to sentencing paedophiles!
They should all be subjected to getting their balls chopped off and S*c*u*m tattooed on their foreheads!!
God bless her, a very beautiful woman, she has been through so much in her life, hopefully she can move on and enjoy the rest of her life
Judges out of touch, all political appointees! Paul Carney, was a PD member. Nice one If you can get it?
You are incredible, brave woman and an inspiration to many Fiona Doyle. Even though I still feel the sentence is far too lenient, I am relieved that at least Patrick O’ Brien is behind bars. As a Mother, as a daughter and especially as a woman I thank you for pursuing this, under such difficult circumstances and bringing light onto this dark subject. Looking at your children and they way they have rallied around you and supported you, I hope it’s fair to say that in spite of your childhood, you have managed to break the cycle. And, that’s not easy. I was in Bray this afternoon, pounding the pavement, for you and for so many others. Ireland really needs to change how it handles cases like this. In spite of Judge Carneys U-turn, I still think the judicial system let you down. Just a few weeks ago we held the Children’s Referendum with Ireland claiming how important the welfare of it’s children is – now Ireland needs to step up and hand out harsher punishment to paedophile’s and rapists. The Garlic Man was sentenced to 6 years – need I say more!
An other incredible story from Bray; an other incredible woman.
20 dislikes on a comment to clamp down on sentencing for paedophiles!!!!!!! The protection of children should come first!
I liked your comment, but I think the reason for the red thumbs is because people don’t believe in barbaric solutions.
There was absolutely nothing barbaric about the comment?! All that was stated was that the justice system need to clamp down, as in give harsher sentences to ppl who commit such hideous crimes on children!
Amazing woman.
Glad to see that the people supported and demanded justice for a badly treated lady ‘ kind of hard to have faith in the judge
Good luck to her in her future
Is there any article or news footage that states the abuse this poor woman went through?
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