A Porsche-driving Sligo property developer has admitted to a horrifying 48-minute assault in which he falsely imprisoned and brutally beat three 13-year-old boys after wrongly accusing them of breaking windows at his business premises.
Key Facts of the Case:
- Attack occurred on 18 March 2024 at O’Connor Cabins, North West Business Park, Collooney, Co Sligo
- Three 13-year-old boys were held against their will for nearly an hour
- O’Connor choked one boy unconscious and punched him until his fists were covered in blood
- He dragged a saw along a boy’s body while threatening to cut off his legs and head
- A young girl was forced to watch the attacks
- O’Connor pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, with false imprisonment and threats to kill taken into account
The Terrifying Ordeal: What the Boys Endured
According to harrowing victim impact statements read in Sligo Circuit Court, the three boys were playing in the industrial estate when O’Connor arrived and mistakenly believed they had smashed windows in portacabins. In reality, two other boys had caused the damage and later admitted responsibility.
O’Connor grabbed one boy, slammed him against a wall, and began choking him until he lost consciousness. He then repeatedly punched the child in the face. The court heard that O’Connor’s fists were covered in the boy’s blood.
He dragged the terrified youngsters into a warehouse, placed one on a table, and ran a saw along his body while screaming threats to cut off his legs and head. The boys screamed and pleaded for mercy as O’Connor continued the violent assault, headbutting, punching, kicking, and kneeing them.
Throughout the ordeal, O’Connor repeatedly told the boys: “I’m going to kill you. Do you know who I am? I own the town and the guards.” He also claimed he had killed someone before who had crossed him.
Role of Simon Cavanagh and Others Present
Simon Cavanagh (39), a well-known handball coach in Sligo described in court as a “role model” for young people, arrived at the scene and pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning the three boys. He held one of the children while O’Connor continued the attack.
O’Connor’s wife, Basia Kawalska, who had been waiting in the family Porsche with their young child, got out of the vehicle and recorded parts of the assault on her mobile phone.
A third man, Shane Gaffney, arrived later but did not participate in the violence and was not charged.
O’Connor’s False Statements and the CCTV Evidence
After the attack, O’Connor provided a prepared statement to gardaí in which he denied assaulting or falsely imprisoning the boys and even claimed they had attacked him. This account completely collapsed when CCTV footage emerged weeks later, fully corroborating the victims’ accounts.
The violence lasted a shocking 48 minutes. One boy described being choked until he blacked out, only to regain consciousness and be beaten further. Another was slammed to the ground so hard that his hearing was affected.
Timeline of the Attack – 18 March 2024
- O’Connor arrives at the business park and confronts the boys
- Initial physical assault against a wall and pinning
- Boys dragged into warehouse
- Threats with saw and repeated beatings
- Cavanagh arrives and assists in holding the boys
- O’Connor forces the boys to lure another child to the scene
- Attack ends only when a mother arrives to pay for the broken windows
- O’Connor warns the boys not to tell anyone or he will “find them and kill them”
Cathal O’Connor: Prominent Sligo Businessman
Cathal O’Connor is a well-known figure in Sligo business circles. He is a director of more than 20 companies, including his property development firm Beldare Homes, and operates O’Connor Cabins. He was described in court as a high-flying property mogul who drove a Porsche.
Despite his public success, the court heard a very different side of O’Connor during the March 2024 incident — a man who allegedly used his perceived power and influence to terrorise children.
Impact on the Victims and Community
The three 13-year-old boys suffered significant physical and psychological trauma. One boy described being in complete shock, bleeding from the nose, and fearing for his life. A young girl who witnessed the attacks was left shaking and screaming.
The case has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly given Cavanagh’s role as a handball coach and positive role model for young people in Sligo.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cathal O’Connor Sligo Assault Case
What did Cathal O’Connor do to the 13-year-old boys?
O’Connor falsely imprisoned three boys for nearly an hour, choked one unconscious, repeatedly punched them, threatened them with a saw, and made graphic death threats while boasting he “owned the town.”
Who else was involved in the incident?
Simon Cavanagh (39) pleaded guilty to false imprisonment. O’Connor’s wife Basia Kawalska recorded parts of the attack. A third man, Shane Gaffney, was present but not charged.
What was Cathal O’Connor’s defence initially?
O’Connor gave a statement to gardaí denying the assaults and claiming the boys attacked him. This was later disproven by CCTV evidence.
When will Cathal O’Connor and Simon Cavanagh be sentenced?
Sentencing for both men is scheduled for Friday following their guilty pleas in Sligo Circuit Court.
What businesses is Cathal O’Connor involved in?
He is a director of over 20 companies, including property development firm Beldare Homes and O’Connor Cabins in Collooney, Co Sligo.
Broader Questions Raised by the Case
This disturbing case raises serious questions about power, accountability, and the protection of children in local communities. A successful businessman allegedly used his status to intimidate and harm vulnerable young people, while making explicit threats that he could “get away with it” due to his influence.
The involvement of Simon Cavanagh, previously regarded as a positive role model for young athletes, has particularly shaken many in the Sligo area. The fact that a young girl was forced to watch the violence adds another layer of trauma to the incident.
As sentencing approaches, the court will consider victim impact statements, the prolonged nature of the attack, the age of the victims, and O’Connor’s attempts to cover up his actions. The emergence of CCTV evidence proved crucial in ensuring the boys’ accounts were believed.
The case serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of wealth, status, or local influence. It also highlights the courage of the young victims who came forward and the importance of thorough investigation when children report serious assaults.
This report is based on proceedings at Sligo Circuit Court as of April 2026. Sentencing is expected on Friday. The victims and their families continue to deal with the serious physical and emotional consequences of this traumatic event.
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