His vile abuse destroyed my childhood and has torn my life apart...
■ SICKO GETS THREE YEARS IN JAIL AND VICTIM WAIVES HER RIGHT TO ANONYMITY ■ ONE IN FOUR SUPPORT GROUP ENCOURAGED HER TO SPEAK OUT ON ABUSE
in myself.
She told the court her childhood was very confusing, controlled and full of secrets.
“It would no doubt have been a happy, innocent one if Johnson had not lived in our home.
“He controlled and manipulated us and now has torn our family apart forever. I will never forgive or forget this.”
School
She said because of the abuse Johnson inflicted on her she became shy and withdrawn in school “which left me an easy target for bullies.”
Alison explained: “In my adult years I found it difficult to commit to work as I had difficulty trusting anyone to care for my girls.
“I became over protective and paranoid about anyone harming my girls so I stayed at home.
“This put immense financial pressure on us as my husband was the only provider for our family.”
She continued: “He reluctantly pleaded guilty while the jury had been sworn in to only eight charges of indecent assault but this will never come close to how much torture and shame he inflicted on me throughout my childhood.
“The pain I have carried silently all these years growing up without the protection and security will live with me forever. No child should ever be faced with the explicitness that I’ve had to.”
The court heard Johnson was arrested by arrangement on February 12, 2022 and interviewed but made no admissions.
Garda Cathal Doherty said: “He said it was total lies, that Alison hopped into his bed when he was naked and nothing happened.”
The court heard that although Johnson acknowledged his guilt he remained in denial, a Probation Report stated.
In sentencing evil Johnson, Judge John Alymer said the nature of his “appalling offending” was “quite egregious as it involved acts of grossly invasive sex activity which had a severe impact on his victim.”
Speaking afterwards, Alison, who is supported by her husband Thomas and three daughters, said she was “pleased with the result”.
She said: “Justice has finally been done. I am relieved that it is finally over.
“I am hoping now that I don’t have to see him around the place and knowing that he can’t harm anyone else that I can now move on with my life.”
Alison thanked the organisation One in Four and gardai Stephanie Harvey and Cathal Doherty for their help.
She added: “I hope by going public today, I can encourage and help other victims to come forward and know that they too have a voice and are not to blame for anything that happened to them as children.
“I want to encourage other abuse victims to come forward, even if they are alone. It’s never too late.”