A courageous young man has chosen to reveal his identity in court and renounce his right to remain anonymous in confronting the individual who sexually assaulted him at the age of 11.
Devin O’Donnell, now 19, directly addressed Joseph Campbell, aged 63, declaring that he would no longer bear the burden of guilt and asserting, “I am taking back my voice, my narrative, and my existence.” O’Donnell delivered his impactful statement during Campbell’s sentencing hearing at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court, where Campbell, the step-mother’s father, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for the rape.
Opting to disclose his identity, O’Donnell permitted Campbell, residing in Daingean, Co Offaly, Ireland, to be identified in trial reports, as confirmed by the prosecution. O’Donnell shared his statement prior to Campbell’s sentencing, during which Campbell maintained his innocence and contested the jury’s decision.
In his emotional victim impact statement, O’Donnell expressed, “Your actions didn’t just harm me at that moment; they altered my perception of the world. You instilled silence within me. For a long time, that silence kept me muted because the shame felt louder than my voice. But I am no longer that frightened child.”
“I am speaking out now, not because I have moved on, but because I am opting to advocate for myself, even in the face of adversity. Your actions deprived me of parts of my life that I can never reclaim. However, you did not take everything. You did not take my resilience. You did not take my future. You did not take my capacity to heal,” O’Donnell continued.
During a trial held last June, Campbell was convicted of section 4 rape, specifically anal rape, at O’Donnell’s residence in October 2017. Campbell denied the allegations, and additional charges of sexual assault by Campbell on the victim in December 2021 were considered.
Upon sentencing Campbell, Justice Mary Ellen Ring acknowledged O’Donnell’s strength in enduring various challenges throughout his life. She condemned Campbell’s betrayal of trust, emphasizing that no child should have to endure such experiences.
Justice Ring highlighted the impact of the abuse on O’Donnell, emphasizing that his identity should not be defined by Campbell’s actions. She expressed hope that positive experiences in the future would overshadow the trauma before extending her best wishes to O’Donnell.
The aggravating factors in Campbell’s case included his role as a grandfather figure within the family and his lack of remorse or empathy toward the victim. Justice Ring initially imposed an 11-year sentence but reduced it to 10 years, suspending the final 18 months to aid Campbell’s reintegration into society. Additionally, Campbell was prohibited from contacting O’Donnell during his imprisonment and for five years post-release.
Reflecting on his childhood trauma, O’Donnell remarked, “The impact of what occurred has never left me. It wasn’t a fleeting moment; it embedded itself deep within me, evolving into fear, shame, confusion, and heartache that I have carried since then.”
“I was merely a child. I didn’t comprehend what was happening. I just felt small, frightened, and as if a part of me was being stolen. You robbed me of my safety, my innocence, and my sense of self-acceptance,” O’Donnell revealed.
Describing his struggle with feelings of isolation and self-blame, O’Donnell shared, “I felt alienated from others in a negative way. Outwardly, I pretended everything was normal, but internally, I was in pain. I felt tainted. I felt shattered. I believed something was inherently wrong with me. Most painfully, I questioned if I was somehow at fault. No child should ever have to endure such thoughts.”