The family of an Irish sexual predator who carried out assaults with his husband fear there will be more victims after the pair spent time living in Liverpool. Serial offenders James Reilly, 49, and partner Gary Byrne, 36, were jailed last month for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old man and attempting to rape him after giving him a drug which prevented him from moving.
Sentences and previous convictions
The pair, who were already serving a four-year sentence for the defilement of a teenage boy, were handed another 10 years for the fresh crimes. Reilly had previous convictions for assault and engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a child, while Byrne had been sentenced for sexual assault.
Family speaks out
Reilly's family told the ECHO this week that the pair, who are originally from Meath, to the north west of Dublin, had been "at it for years" and were convinced that there would be more victims. The abuser's sister, Tara Reilly, said Reilly and Byrne had lived together in Liverpool in 2017.
Ms Reilly said: "They fled to Liverpool and lived there. I don't know exactly where they lived or who they were with, but we know they worked in a bar promoting events. I guarantee there will be victims in Liverpool. They are predators. They won't stop. The only reason they have stopped is because they are in prison. This has been going on for years. We have known about it for years and warned people but were never taken seriously."
Appeal for victims
Reilly's family shared a picture of the sexual abuser couple so members of the public who might have fallen victim to them in the past could recognise them. Ms Reilly added: "We want their faces out there. We hope if people see their faces it might bring it back to them. If there are victims please come forward to us. We want people to know we despise them and will provide support to any victim."
Background of the offenders
Reilly's family said their relative met Byrne while working in a pantomime when he was in his 20s and his now partner was just a teenager. Reilly was described as a "great actor" who also worked in a nursing home caring for the elderly. They were regarded as a "fun couple" which the Reilly family believe ensured they were not subjected to scrutiny. They eventually fled their home town before ending up in County Tipperary. It was from here that the ECHO understands the pair moved to Liverpool.
Details of the crime
The men, who were produced from prison where they were serving a sentence for offences in 2020, were convicted of two counts of sexual assault and one of attempted rape following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick earlier this year. Reilly was also convicted of assault causing harm. The court heard that in 2016 the pair had lured their victim - whose identity is protected because of the nature of the offences - back to their home and drugged him before sexually assaulting him and trying to rape him while he was incapacitated.
The pair bumped into their victim, who was known to him, while out socialising and invited him to a party at their home. The Sunday World newspaper first reported that once there he was given a vodka and 7UP and, although he remained conscious, was unable to move after drinking it. He was then sexually assaulted by the two men.
Victim impact
In a victim impact statement he said he had hated himself and his body, and had lost friends and family after turning to drink in an attempt to numb his pain. He sought help two years later as he "could no longer cope with what those two monsters did to me". After speaking to police, he added: "I was now telling the world what these two evil monsters did to me."
