Waterford man who abused sisters and third woman to be sentenced

Bartholomew Prendergast ‘supposedly fixed’ after priest directed him to get counselling

Bartholomew Prendergast (65) arrives at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin today for his sentencing hearing. Photograph:  Collins Courts
Bartholomew Prendergast (65) arrives at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin today for his sentencing hearing. Photograph: Collins Courts

A woman who was sexually abused and raped by her brother-in-law said the abuse continued when he was “supposedly fixed” after a priest directed him to get counselling.

Stephanie Hickey (46) has along with her sister, Deirdre Fahy (52), waived her right to anonymity so Bartholomew "Batty" Prendergast can be named.

The Waterford county council worker will be sentenced next November for the sexual abuse and rape of the sisters and a third woman over the course of 12 years.

Sisters Deirdre Fahy (left) and Stephanie Hickey leave the Central Criminal Court today after the sentencing hearing of Bartholomew Prendergast. Photograph:  Collins Courts.
Sisters Deirdre Fahy (left) and Stephanie Hickey leave the Central Criminal Court today after the sentencing hearing of Bartholomew Prendergast. Photograph: Collins Courts.

Prendergast (65) of Cruachan, Dungarvan, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the offences following a day of legal argument after a jury had been sworn in for his trial.

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He had just recently retired from Waterford County Council and is also a well-known musician in the locality. He has separated from his wife, has three adult children and has no previous convictions.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and 13 counts of indecent assault of his sister-in-law Stephanie Hickey at locations in Co Waterford and Co Tipperary on dates between 1983 and 1987.

Ms Hickey, now 46 years old, was aged between 12 and 15 years old at the time of the offences.

Prendergast also pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault against Ms Fahy on a date between 1979 and 1981, while she was aged between 13 and 14 years old.

He further pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault of a third woman, now 39 years old, on dates between 1988 and 1991, while she was aged between nine and 12 years old. This woman is aware that Prendergast will be named in reporting of the case but she does not wish to be identified.

Ms Hickey took the stand to read her victim impact statement.

“I was led to believe by a family friend, a priest, that in the 80s you were fixed,” she said.

“ If you were supposedly fixed why did you continue to abuse me for years after? For this I feel very hurt, and let down by whoever fixed you I need answers from whom you spoke to help you at this time and again why as child I wasn’t protected this hurt goes on.

“I lost my virginity because of you and I wasn’t even old enough to understand what you were taking from me. For this I will never ever forgive you.”

“When all these rape and sexual abuses took place, I would feel like I was going to die, I would feel as if I was choking and could not breathe the fear was and will forever be inside me. This is all down to you again for this I can never forgive you in my lifetime.”