A former Irish immigration officer, John Egan (61), residing at Drum, Knock, Co Mayo, has been sentenced to jail for SE assault and harassment involving two non-EU nationals seeking assistance with visa applications and passports at a Roscommon Garda station.
At a sitting of Roscommon Circuit Court, Judge Kenneth Connolly convicted Egan of SE assaulting one woman at Castlerea Garda station on February 14th, 2015, and harassing her across various locations in the county from February 15th to December 31st, 2015.
He was also convicted of harassing a second woman between June 1st, 2014, and March 4th, 2017.
Egan previously pleaded guilty to all charges at a Roscommon Circuit Court session last year.
The court heard that part of Egan’s duties involved assisting non-EU nationals with visa applications, and he interacted with the victims multiple times at the Garda station for this purpose.
One victim reported that during a visit to Egan’s office at the Garda station regarding her visa application, he sexually assaulted her after locking the door. The court also heard that Egan would park outside her home and instruct her not to disclose their interactions.
Egan asked the other victim numerous times if “he wanted to have some fun,” which she interpreted as a proposition for SE. Both victims submitted impact statements detailing the emotional, physical, and mental toll of Egan’s actions, expressing feelings of sadness, shame, violation, and distrust towards law enforcement.
Egan’s interactions with the victims were examined through phone records as part of the investigation, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges in December 2021.
During his testimony, Egan apologised for his actions, describing them as “horrendous behaviour” and expressing remorse for the pain and trauma inflicted on the victims, An Garda Síochána, and his family.
Egan’s defence counsel highlighted his 35-year unblemished service with the Gardaí, emphasising his prior lack of criminal record.
However, the court deemed Egan’s abuse of power and trust as the most aggravating factor, resulting in a two-year and six-month prison sentence for sexual assault and concurrent two-year imprisonment for harassment of one victim.
Additionally, Egan received a one-year and nine-month consecutive jail term for harassing the second victim, with the final nine months suspended on the condition of maintaining peace post-release and complying with probation and welfare services for appropriate treatment for eighteen months.
Judge Connolly characterised Egan’s actions as a humiliating fall from grace and emphasised the importance of accountability in cases of abuse of power and sexual harassment.
The victim impact statements read out in court underscored the lasting impact of Egan’s actions on the victims’ emotional well-being.
One victim described feeling “sad, ashamed, and violated,” while the other expressed discomfort and vulnerability due to Egan’s sexual advances and manipulation of power dynamics. Both victims emphasised the significance of bringing the case to court to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Despite Egan’s regret and admission of guilt, the court highlighted the gravity of his offences and the importance of accountability and justice for the victims.
The sentencing reflects the court’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for their abuse of power and ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals seeking assistance from law enforcement agencies.
