Should I say anything about pedophile living next door to sale agreed house?

LegacyUser

A relatives house has gone sale agreed, its an old fashioned semi d with a 100ft long garden, the bottom which is obscured by various features and hedges, and a high wall (5ft)separating the back gardens.

I have been in counselling/ therapy/ seeing a psychiatrist/ going to Laragh for PTSD which I got as a result of being sexually abused and raped between ages 10-15 by the next door neighbour, who is a few years older than me. This was back in the 1980's.

I named him all along, they have said they 'would investigate' but never got back to me. Once I learnt the house was to be sold I got very upset as I would not like to see a family with a young daughter / visiting children as I said you cannot see the entirety of the back garden from the house.

I have rang the HSE and worker dealing with my case about this a few times, it's upsetting for me also to ring as it brings up the memories.

The house has gone Sale Agreed in recent weeks. I have no financial interest in the house at all. The only interest in it I have is I don't want history repeating itself as he still lives there (never married and I've heard some odd stories about him over the years) , I have not told any family members about this, I want to but i'm afraid of their reactions etc as any abuse survivor would be.

If i were to buy a house and had children I would like the HSE to make me aware that there is a pedophile next door. I have no problem going to court, in fact i can't wait for my day in court- but that could be some time, the HSE are very vague.

Not sure at all what to do, would I look like a lunatic telling the new people moving in? Should I tell the estate agent? I'm very worried about this as there is a chance it could stop a child going thru what I did. Thanks for reading.

Tokyo

Hi OP,

I'm sorry for what you've been through, and am glad to see that you are receiving counselling for this - I certainly hope it's helping. Regarding the neighbour in question, the answer may not be what you want to hear, but I don't think it would be a good idea to say anything to the family moving in (or anyone else for that matter) just yet. In the eyes of the law the man is innocent until you've had your day in court with him, and it may actually place you in legal hot water, and work against your case if you are seen to be pouring poison in people's ear about him.

I would certainly follow up with the HSE though, and make it abundantly clear to them your concerns for the family moving in when it comes to this neighbour, and let them follow up on it. It's all you can do, really.

lovelyjubbly

seriousquestion wrote: »

I have no problem going to court, in fact i can't wait for my day in court- but that could be some time, the HSE are very vague.

Have you made a criminal complaint to the Guards? The HSE do not have the remit to prosecute, they report into the Guards but it's up to the Guards to investigate, send evidence to DPP and the DPP gives direction on whether the case goes to court.

Raminahobbin

Op I'm really, really sorry for what you have gone through but i have to agree with Mike.ie. Our justice system has a core belief in innocent until proven guilty, and even though the events definitely happened to you, it will be handled this way in any dealings with the law. If the man has not been actually convicted of anything, then you run the risk of a) being charged with slander and b) anything you say tainting any future case you might want to bring against him.

Realistically though, if I were you and had this burning urge to warn the new people that live there, I would probably send an anonymous note (short and to the point) to the house. I'd be really paranoid about it and make sure it didn't have any way of being traced back to me.

FactCheck

I think you should get actual legal advice rather than opinions of people who may or may not have a clue what they are talking about.

Best of luck with everything.

kjl

Im very confused...

How has it taken till now, over 30 years, for you to get your day in court? Is it possible this guy, while completely out of line, was just young and stupid and hasn't since repeated the act since.

Either way, I think you need to get legal advice before you do anything. I think also that if these feeling are resurfacing perhaps you need to speak about it with your counsellor.

Also, I have no idea what you expect the HSE to do about this, as far as I'm aware this is not what they do at all.

mikemac1

In 30 years the old Health boards and now the HSE have shown you they are not going to take action and I'm not sure what you want them to do. If you want an investigation you go the gardai

seriousquestion wrote: »

he still lives there (never married and I've heard some odd stories about him over the years)

Living alone unmarried is pretty normal, there are bachelor farmers in every parish in Ireland. And I'm sure townies too.

Sorry for the hurt in your past OP but either start the process with the gardai or leave it be. The guy has never been convicted of anything and stories even if they are true but cannot be proven could be traced to you leaving you wide open for court only it'll be you on the spot and not him.

sashafierce

This post has been deleted.

Penny Tration

kjl wrote: »

Im very confused...

How has it taken till now, over 30 years, for you to get your day in court? Is it possible this guy, while completely out of line, was just young and stupid and hasn't since repeated the act since.

Either way, I think you need to get legal advice before you do anything. I think also that if these feeling are resurfacing perhaps you need to speak about it with your counsellor.

Also, I have no idea what you expect the HSE to do about this, as far as I'm aware this is not what they do at all.

Wow. Young and stupid? He raped her for five years! That's not young and stupid. That's sick, evil and predatory.


That said, op, if he hasn't been found guilty of what he did to you, you run the risk of serious legal action being taken if you go around calling him a rapist or paedophile.

Please, get legal advice. If you want him prosecuted, go to the police and discuss it with them.

cat_dog

Raminahobbin wrote: »

Realistically though, if I were you and had this burning urge to warn the new people that live there, I would probably send an anonymous note (short and to the point) to the house. I'd be really paranoid about it and make sure it didn't have any way of being traced back to me.

I would do this because I have a feeling there wont be enough evidence to prosecute the guy. Unless they raid his home and find child pornography on his computer which I doubt they'll do.

tenifan

seriousquestion wrote: »

I have been in counselling/ therapy/ seeing a psychiatrist/ going to Laragh for PTSD which I got as a result of being sexually abused and raped between ages 10-15 by the next door neighbour, who is a few years older than me. This was back in the 1980's.

How much is a few years? 2-3? While you can't deny he may have been a predatory older teen, he's probably now 40.
Unless you have a case against him and wish to pursue it, there's not a lot you can do.

Neyite

Mod:

OP, regretfully, the only advice that can be given to you is to go to the Gardai, which has been reiterated on the thread. Any other may fall foul of our charter, or the law so I have to close this.

All the best.