Evin Daly, is a forensic sociologist specializing in child abuse and intimate partner abuse, and provides expert testimony in court on behalf of children and victims of abuse.
He is also the former CEO of One Child International, a NGO which played a role in bringing attention to the allegations against George Gibney and advocating for accountability.
He says that George Gibney, the former Ireland Olympic swimming coach who was sentenced yesterday to 15 and a half years in prison for indecent assault of children, should never be released.
Gibney, aged 78, following his conviction on 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape involving four girls during the 1970s and 1980s was sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison, with 14 months suspended, leaving an effective sentence of 15 years and 6 months.
“It is unlikely that he will ever see the light of day again,” Mr Daly said. “This was vindication for his victims who have faced repudiation in their quest for justice for the past 30 years.”
“It is vindication for the countless other victims of child abuse who now see that there are people in the world who are willing to go to whatever ends to seek justice for them even if it takes a lifetime.”
He paid tribute to journalists such as Ali Bracken and Justine McCarthy, who he said kept the story in the public eye. And he said that Karen Leach, a survivor of sexual abuse from another swimming coach and a leading voice in international work against sexual abuse and harassment in sport, “was a relentless advocate for justice even when faced with push back from establishment and sports figures who found her voice disruptive in a new era of ‘safe-sports’.”
Mr Daly also revealed that his wife Dr. Laura Daly was an “unsung hero” in bringing the child molester to justice, saying that her online sleuthing found Gibney in Orlando, “a task that our organization’s own investigators were unable to do.”
“This opened the gateway to creating local awareness of Gibney through informing local law enforcement and church authorities in Altamonte Springs, Florida, of Gibney’s presence and alleged crimes as documented in [Justine] McCarthy’s book,” he said.
He also praised Mark Horgan and the BBC for picking up “the threads of this story” and for bringing it back to public attention in an award winning podcast ‘Where is George Gibney.’
“The resulting publicity updated Gibney’s story to a new audience and put pressure on the Irish authorities to act,” Mr Daly said. “As a result of the podcast new victims of Gibney came forward and filed complaints. The final act came down to the tenancy of the Irish Police, An Garda Síochána, under the professional and diligent direction of Sgt Amy Kelly, Det Sgt Jonathan Hayes and Det Sgt Dave Connolly developed this case and persuaded the Department of Public Prosecutions to have Gibney extradited to Ireland to face charges.”
“There are so many others that deserve to mention; Chalkie White, Bart Nolan (RIP) and his dad, Gary O’Toole, Aidan and Kay O’Toole (RIP) and many others who I hope will forgive me for not mentioning their names,” he said.
“Included are the countless victims of Gibney who have waited for so long to see justice done. They are among those who show that justice can be found, despite the odds, by those who will never ever give up in the pursuit of justice.
“It is important to remember that they succeeded despite many being shut out, ostracized, and discriminated against, a shameful part of this story that will hopefully be told in the future,” he added.
Yesterday, survivor Orla Poole spoke to reporters outside the court today saying that survivors should know the only fault lay with the convicted paedophile.
“Grooming, manipulation, and deception are oftentimes difficult to identify but are the hallmark of a paedophile,” she said.
“This is especially so in highly competitive sporting mentor/coach situations, where young immature, vulnerable and naive persons are dependent on the adult to show the way and do the right thing.”
“If there are any, and I believe there are many, others who suffered at the hands of Gibney, know that you do not have to carry this burden alone. You are not at fault, the only guilt for what we went through lies with the convicted paedophile,” she said.
“When you are ready and able, unburden yourself by talking to someone. From the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, One In Four, a therapist, a trusted friend or even the gardaí.
“It can be a liberating and cathartic experience. You are not alone,” she said.
Ms Poole said she “spent decades in silence because of his perverted behaviours. I thought I was the only one, that somehow, I deserved what he did to me.
“I thought no one would believe me if I was to say something. That, I think, is no longer the case in Ireland,” she added.
“There are people, organisations and authorities that will listen; who will offer support and will act.
“His actions have had far reaching repercussions on people beyond just me. My friends, my family and my own child.
“This court case didn’t just deliver justice for me, but also, I hope, for others.
“It has shown that even after 50 plus years, justice can be got. Historical offenders can be held to account for their actions and choices.
“The times of sweeping things under the rug, turning a blind eye or holding that children should be seen, and not heard, are gone,” she said.
“To all survivors out there, speak when you are ready, reclaim your agency and remember you are not to blame, only the offender is to blame. You are not alone. There is support. There are people that will be of help to you. You will be heard and you will be believed.”