Paedo jailed for rape of 11-year-old

Brave victim 'reclaiming his life' after abuse

- BY SONYA MCLEAN

A YOUNG man who was raped as an 11-year-old boy has told his abuser that he will not carry the guilt anymore-that he is "reclaiming my voice, my story and my life".

Devin O'Donnell, 19, was reading from his victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court sentence hearing of Joseph Campbell, 63, of Castle Court, Daingean, Co Offaly.

Campbell, who is the father of Mr O'Donnell's stepmother, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years yesterday. Campbell maintains his innocence and does not accept the verdict of the jury.

Fionnuala O'Sullivan SC, prosecuting, told the court that Mr O'Donnell wishes to waive his right to anonymity so Campbell can be named.

Mr O'Donnell said in his victim impact statement: "You didn't just hurt me in that moment, you changed how I experienced the world. You planted silence inside me.