Dungannon Crown Court: Sex offender jailed for over four years

A 35-year-old man was sentenced at Dungannon Crown Court for a number of offences including, sexual assault by penetration.

Cathal Feeney, a man from Derry who resided in Beragh, was sentenced to four and a half years. He will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for seven years.

Detective Chief Inspector Siobhan Ennis said, “The victim has shown tremendous bravery in coming forward to Police to take this man to court to answer for his crimes against her.

“She has shown strength and resilience throughout the investigation, and whilst the trauma of Cathal Feeney’s actions will never go away for her, I hope today’s outcome will give some form of closure.

“Feeney preyed on this woman, gaining her trust through an online dating platform before meeting face to face. He acted callously and with total disregard to the basic human right of consent.

“The Police Service of Northern Ireland take all allegations of this kind incredibly seriously. We have specially trained detectives who will listen to, safeguard and support all victims, from the moment they report a crime, right through the judicial process.

“I would continue to encourage anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse or assault to contact Police on 101, or in an emergency call 999. All reports will be thoroughly investigated. You don’t have to suffer in silence.”