Courts / Dublin / Report
Priest to appeal 9-month sentence for molesting boy
Summary
Michael Dunn, an English priest aged 67, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for three counts of sexual assault committed against a 12‑year‑old boy during a holiday in Ireland more than 40 years ago. The victim, who was bullied at school, described Dunn as a trusted confidant who groomed him, forced him to masturbate and share a bed nightly, and coerced him into kissing. Dunn pleaded guilty in August 1975 when he was 26 and had previously served 18 months in England for a similar offence. He intends to appeal the sentence. The court noted the profound negative impact on the victim's life, and Judge Melanie Greally denied bail for Dunn pending appeal. The victim's statement highlighted the lasting emotional trauma and the effect on his family. The priest's defence counsel expressed remorse and requested consideration of his client's lack of further crimes. Michael Dunn was convicted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Priest to appeal 9-month sentence for molesting boy. Charges or matters: three counts of sexual assault, intends to appeal the sentence, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today; three charges of sexual assault in August 1975 when he was 26 years old; sexual assaulting another young boy in the seventies. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- August 1975 Incident
- March 2005 Incident
- 2017-02-03 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: three counts of sexual assault, intends to appeal the sentence, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today; three charges of sexual assault in August 1975 when he was 26 years old; sexual assaulting another young boy in the seventies (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Michael Dunn (67), who pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault, intends to appeal the sentence, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. He was jailed for 18 months in England in March 2005 after he was convicted of sexual assaulting another young boy in the seventies.
Places mentioned
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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