‘Speak when you are ready’: Bellewstown journalist’s message to abuse survivors

A Bellewstown-born journalist and podcast producer has spoken of the emotional impact of seeing survivors of George Gibney’s abuse stand together publicly following the former swimming coach’s jailing.

Mark Horgan, co-producer of the acclaimed Where is George Gibney? podcast, said he had never imagined the project would ultimately lead to Gibney’s extradition from the United States and conviction.

Horgan is part of the well-known Horgan family. His brother Shane is a former Ireland rugby international, while his sister Sharon has achieved international success as an actress and writer. Mark himself built a career in sports broadcasting with Second Captains before turning his attention to the Gibney investigation.

“Never in our wildest dreams could we have thought that it would lead to extradition and a conviction,” he said.

The podcast, produced by Second Captains in conjunction with the BBC, revisited the case and brought survivors’ experiences to a wider audience.

Gibney was sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison after being convicted of 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape involving four girls during the 1970s and 1980s.

One of the most significant moments for Horgan came after sentencing, when survivor Orla Poole waived her anonymity and spoke publicly outside the Criminal Courts of Justice, with other survivors standing behind her.

Horgan first heard from Poole in 2020, when she contacted him about her experiences. He recalled how difficult it had been for her to speak publicly at that time, making her appearance outside court all the more powerful.

“That moment felt really emotional and an amazing thing to witness,” he said.

He said the sight of Poole speaking openly, surrounded by other survivors whose stories he had helped bring to the public, was particularly moving after years spent working on the investigation.

Horgan said the podcast required him to spend considerable time with survivors, building trust and ensuring their accounts were told in their own words rather than simply gathering a quick quote.

“It was deeply upsetting, to be honest with you. And it was difficult as well,” he said of the experience.

He also felt a responsibility to those who had trusted him with their stories, particularly given the pressure to deliver a series that would do justice to their experiences.

While Gibney’s conviction represented a significant moment, Horgan cautioned that it did not mean the effects of abuse suddenly disappeared.

“Things don’t just happen with the flick of a switch and suddenly everything’s okay,” he said, adding that many survivors were still dealing with the aftermath of what had happened to them.

Horgan hopes the outcome will encourage other survivors of historical sexual abuse to speak when they feel ready, whether to Gardaí, a trusted person or a support organisation.

He said only one male survivor had come forward in the Gibney case and he believed there could be others who had not yet spoken publicly.

“I have little doubt that there’s more male survivors of abuse,” he said, acknowledging that stigma can make it particularly difficult for men to come forward.

His message to survivors was simple: “Speak when you are ready.”

He is continuing to work on the case and is currently developing follow-up episodes of Where is George Gibney?, which he hopes will be broadcast on the BBC soon and bring the story up to date.

The case has also renewed attention on the history of abuse within Irish swimming and sport. Horgan referred to the case of Fr Ronald Bennett, who was convicted of abusing boys at Gormanston College between 1973 and 1981. Bennett was regularly in contact with Gibney, who brought groups of children to swimming meets and camps at Gormanston during the 1970s. The cases are separate.

Horgan believes the safeguarding culture around children’s sport has changed significantly since that period, pointing to greater awareness among parents and changes in supervision.

“I do think the climate when it comes to safeguarding children in sport is entirely different to what it was in swimming in Ireland in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that concerns about historical abuse do not deter parents from allowing their children to participate in sport.

“Parents should never be scared of their kids playing sport or taking part in sport because it’s such a vital, brilliant, vibrant, important thing for kids to experience,” he said.

For Horgan, the podcast has also changed the direction of his own career, allowing him to move beyond sports broadcasting into investigative work and wider current affairs.

But his message to survivors remains central to the work.

“If they feel that the time is right for them in their lives to share it with a loved one or to speak to organisations,” he said, “it’s a really key thing to know that if people are survivors of historic abuse, there’s people for them to talk to if they’re ready.”

Rape Crisis North East provides confidential support for survivors of sexual violence and abuse, including through outreach services in Navan and Drogheda. Its freephone helpline is 1800 77 8888.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre operates a national 24-hour helpline on the same number. One in Four provides support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and can be contacted on 01 662 4070.