Terence Crosbie 'hopes to contribute to society again' as he references 'wonderful' wife
The disgraced firefighter has been sentenced to 7-9 years in prison for raping a woman at a Boston hotel
This is the moment disgraced firefighter Terence Crosbie declared: "I hope to contribute to society again some day".
The 39-year-old, from Dublin, was jailed for a minimum of seven years on Thursday after being found guilty of raping a woman at a hotel in Boston in March 2024.
Speaking during his sentencing hearing, Crosbie said: "I understand the seriousness of the situation. I respect you [the judge], I respect this courtroom, I respect this jury and I respect everybody involved in this process. I have the deepest respect for this court and the legal system. I appreciate the time and attention the court has given my case.
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"I have dedicated over 18 years of my life selflessly serving the people and city of Dublin. I hope to contribute to society again some day. I ask that the court take into account the large number of character references submitted by my family, my colleagues and from people both sides of the world.
"Also please consider the impact on my family, including my wonderful wife and my two beautiful young daughters, who are not only waiting at home in a different country for me, but also rely on me as the single, sole provider for our family and family home.
"I ask that you please take these things into consideration Your Honour, and I thank you again for giving me the opportunity to speak here today."
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requested 9-12 years in state prison as the sentence for Crosbie. His solicitors argued that this was higher than the guide-lined range, and suggested 3-5 years instead, which is on the lower end of the guideline.
Many members of Crosbie's family including his wife were present in the courtroom throughout both trials. The prosecution argued that the impact of Crosbie's conduct on his family should not be taken into account when deciding his punishment, saying, "he caused all of this."
The defence counsel, led by Daniel J Reilly, asked Judge Joshua Wall to consider that Crosbie is a "foreigner serving time in a foreign country," and stressed that he "won't be able to return to the home he left."
Judge Wall called what Crosbie did an act of “extraordinary sexual violence" and said he must serve no more than nine years and no less than seven.
'Sleepless nights and panic attacks'
The victim also read out a statement before the court, and said that the attack she endured at the hands of Crosbie, left a lasting impact on her relationships, her career, and her health.
She said she has experienced “sleepless nights and panic attacks” in the months following the attack at the hotel. She said walking past the hotel, a prominent Boston landmark, fills her with "dread."
"I am reminded constantly of the horrible thing that was done to me," she said. "I feel bleak and lonely when I should feel happy and loved."
She said that she has required ongoing therapy and medical support in order to manage daily tasks, and finds herself "descending without warning into unhappiness that I cannot control."
She added that her rapist has "never offered an apology," adding, "it breaks my heart to know that we live in a world where someone can do such a horrible thing to another human being and not have the decency to hold themselves accountable."
Crosbie was found guilty of raping the woman over St Patrick's Day weekend in 2024. He was visiting Boston with a group of Dublin firefighters who were set to march in the St Patrick's Day parade.
The victim told the court that on the night of the attack, she had attended a work event earlier in the afternoon. She said she and some co-workers decided to continue the night at the Black Rose pub, where she met Liam O’Brien and Crosbie.
The victim told the court she went back to the hotel with O’Brien and had consensual sex with him. Afterwards, the victim said she went to use the bathroom.
When she got back, O’Brien was asleep in a “starfish” position on the bed, and she got into the other hotel bed, which belonged to Crosbie.
The victim told the court that she awoke some time later to a different man, “also with an Irish accent,” raping her. "I knew it wasn't Liam because he was still asleep," she said.
She repeated the words she heard the man tell her, saying before the court, “You like this, he couldn’t give this to you, I’ll give this to you.”
Crosbie was removed from an Aer Lingus flight and arrested just hours after being interviewed by Boston Police detectives. Crosbie denied all allegations against him, insisting he “absolutely did not” rape the woman.
He was found guilty by a jury last week.
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