A 72‑year‑old former Christian Brother teacher, already serving a sentence that will end in September 2030 for indecent assaults on boys at a Kilkenny primary school, was sentenced today to five years' imprisonment for the indecent assault of four boys between September 1976 and June 1977. The jury found him guilty on 23 counts after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial in June. The judge, Elma Sheahan, described the offences as a "significant breach of trust" and noted the defendant's long history of similar conduct. The five‑year term was back‑dated to the June conviction, meaning he will not spend additional time in jail for these particular offences. Victim impact statements highlighted the lasting psychological harm, with one boy describing the teacher as a "monster" and the abuse affecting him into adulthood. The defendant, who has no other complaints from his subsequent teaching career, has pleaded not guilty and has further matters pending in court.
A 37‑year‑old Romanian, Cristian Gogosiou, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, with the last two years suspended, for raping a 31‑year‑old homeless woman in a Limerick alley on 26 September 2019. He pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and one count of oral rape, but was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury. The victim, who could not be named, was living in homeless accommodation and had addiction issues. Gogosiou admitted to having sex with her, claiming she offered it for money, and said he preyed on vulnerable women because it was easy. He was found to have used a knife and a condom was discovered on the ground. The judge reduced a headline sentence of 12 years to 10 years, citing mitigating factors such as his status as a Romanian national and time already served, and placed him on the sex offenders' register.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 29 July 2024, a 46‑year‑old mother was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for wilful neglect and sexual abuse of her toddler son. The judge, Ms Justice Tara Burns, overturned a previously fully suspended sentence, citing the child's severe neglect, inability to use utensils, drink from a cup, dress himself, and poor language skills. The child had been placed in foster care before age five. The mother had been convicted in June 2022 of neglect from September 2010 to June 2015, and of sexual assault and exploitation between September 2013 and June 2015. She received a three‑year sentence for each of the sexual offences and one year for child cruelty, with all sentences running concurrently and no suspended portion. The mother denied the allegations and showed no remorse. The child remains in state care. The unnamed 46-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Mary O'Donnell, 33, told the court she is "one of the lucky ones" for surviving a prolonged abusive relationship with Mark Leonard, 30. Leonard was jailed for 10 years after a Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of seven assault charges, a false imprisonment charge and several sexual offences. He pleaded guilty to the assault charges but denied the assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual offences. Leonard accepted the verdict, wrote an apology letter and was sentenced to 11 years concurrent, with the final year suspended on strict conditions, including probation and no contact with O'Donnell. O'Donnell read a victim impact statement describing the abuse as "sinister" and the lasting fear it caused. The judge expressed sympathy and noted her support from a loving husband. The case highlighted the prolonged campaign of physical and sexual abuse she endured.
Matthew Fadeyi, 34, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, with the final year suspended, after a re‑trial in May 2024. He was convicted of one count of rape for assaulting a 20‑year‑old woman he had given a lift to in August 2018. The court heard that Fadeyi, who had previously been convicted of a minor road traffic offence, offered to drop the woman home, became flirtatious, and after she declined to have sex, forced himself on her in the back seat of his car. The victim, who described the experience as traumatic, had previously made a formal complaint to Gardaí in January 2019. Fadeyi, a father of three, was found to have no additional violence beyond the act itself, and the judge noted the victim's relative youth and lack of experience. The suspended year is subject to a number of conditions.
Michael Nolan, aged 54, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to indecent assault of a child between November 1984 and September 1985, when he was 14‑15 and the victim 4‑5. He had no prior convictions. The court heard that Nolan's parents and the victim's parents met after the offences were discovered, and that both children were referred to therapy. The victim's impact statement described lasting physical, emotional and psychological harm, including PTSD, anxiety and nightmares, and her motivation to report the abuse to prevent further victims. Judge Pauline Codd noted the offence's seriousness and the victim's enduring suffering. She considered the passage of time, Nolan's rehabilitation, his guilty plea, remorse, and €6,500 contribution to counselling costs. The judge imposed a headline sentence of four years, suspended for three years, and placed Nolan on the sex offenders register for two years, avoiding custodial imprisonment. The case was concluded with no further convictions or charges.
A 22‑year‑old serial sex offender, who was on bail for defilement of a 15‑year‑old, was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison for raping a 13‑year‑old girl and falsely imprisoning her 16‑year‑old friend. The offence occurred on 22 June 2023 in County Tipperary when the offender drove the girls to buy cannabis, then took the younger girl out of the car, locked the older girl inside, and forced the rape. He had previously admitted the defilement charge and pleaded guilty to the rape. The judge noted the large age disparity, the pre‑meditated nature of the crime, and the impact on the victim's mental health. A psychological report placed him at high risk of reoffending; he must serve about two years of a prior suspended sentence before the new term, remain drug‑free, attend mental health and probation services, and be listed on the Sex Offenders' Register.
The 48‑year‑old defendant, whose name is withheld to protect the victim, was convicted of rape at his home in the midlands on 7 August 2018. The Central Criminal Court in Tullamore found him guilty after a February trial, and he received a nine‑year jail sentence for the rape, with a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term for assault and false imprisonment, the final year suspended. He appealed, arguing that two "goading" videos taken on his phone before the alleged rape were inadmissible and prejudicial. The Court of Appeal heard the case on 26 July 2024, with counsel for the State maintaining the videos were admissible for credibility, while the defence claimed they were irrelevant and highly prejudicial. The court will decide after the summer break. The defendant continues to deny the offence and has shown no remorse or rehabilitation.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Garda William Ryan (41) was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment after a jury deliberated for about three and a half hours. The case centred on an incident at Aughrim Garda Station on 29 September 2020, when a woman sought help to retrieve her son's car. Ryan allegedly prevented her from leaving the station, slapped her bottom, groped her breasts, and sexually assaulted her again by digitally penetrating her vagina. He claimed the encounters were consensual, citing a prior phone conversation and the woman's Snapchat photos. The prosecution described his testimony as implausible and "badly‑written erotica." Ryan was remanded in custody until a sentencing date of 7 October, with the judge noting his status as a serving Garda and his family responsibilities. The trial concluded with the jury issuing a unanimous guilty verdict. William Ryan pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Garda William Ryan, 41, has entered its final stages. Ryan has pleaded not guilty to three sexual assault charges and to one false imprisonment charge relating to a woman held at Aughrim Garda Station on 29 September 2020. Judge Elma Sheahan delivered her charge to the jury, who deliberated for two and a half hours before returning home, with deliberations to resume tomorrow morning.
A 32‑year‑old man was jailed for nine years for repeatedly raping his younger half‑siblings between 2001 and 2010. He pleaded guilty to nine counts of raping his sister and three counts of anally and orally raping his brother. The victims were aged 6–14 for the sister and 7–12 for the brother when the abuse began. The judge noted the offences were "humiliating and demeaning", repeated, involved a breach of trust and were committed by a young offender. A headline sentence of 22 years was deemed too harsh given the offender's age, so a 10‑year term was imposed with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. A five‑year post‑release supervision period was added, and the court highlighted the victims' impact statements and the offender's moderate‑to‑high risk of re‑offending.
A former seminarian's prison sentence has been increased by two years following a Court of Appeal ruling that his original five-year term was unduly lenient. Aidan Gallagher, aged 41, of Dadreen, Killadoon, Westport, County Mayo, was convicted by jury in May 2023 of six counts of oral rape of his cousin on dates between 1998 and 2003. The Central Criminal Court jury sat in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy found that the sentencing judge had erred by treating all offences as committed while Gallagher was a minor, despite one occurring when he was 19 years old. The court imposed a revised sentence of seven years on each count, running concurrently. Gallagher had denied the allegations across two trials. The victim waived anonymity to allow her cousin's naming in reporting. Gallagher, who was due for ordination, has no previous convictions.
Raymond Shorten, aged 50, was sentenced by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to a total of 30 years in prison for a series of sexual offences. The sentence comprises a 17‑year term for raping a 19‑year‑old woman on 26 June 2022 and a 13‑year term for raping a 20‑year‑old woman on 9 August 2022, both to run consecutively with a 13‑year sentence for the rape and sexual assault of a seven‑year‑old girl in 2012. The judge noted Shorten's lack of remorse and described the offences as a gross betrayal of the trust placed in taxi drivers. He imposed no suspended portion and added a ten‑year post‑release supervision period, prohibiting contact with the victims or unsupervised contact with children. The sentencing highlighted the severity of the crimes and the danger posed by Shorten to society. Raymond Shorten was convicted.
A 61‑year‑old Dublin soccer coach was found guilty by a jury of four counts of defilement of a teenage student, aged 16 at the time, between August 2008 and January 2009. The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for the defilement charges after deliberating just under five hours. The coach was found not guilty of rape, anal rape and 30 counts of sexual assault. He was remanded in custody for sentencing on 4 November. The case involved allegations that the coach, who was the student's team coach, used his position to contact her, eventually engaging in sexual activity while she was under 17. The prosecution argued that the coach knew she was under 17 and that the evidence was corroborated, while the defence denied any sexual relationship before she turned 18. The judge thanked the jurors and excused them from service for five years.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Garda William Ryan, 41, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. He claimed the complainant, who had come to the Aughrim Garda Station to retrieve her son's car, had masturbated him in a shower room while facing away, asserting the encounter was fully consensual. Ryan described the woman's behaviour as "sexually‑charged" and said he was "hot under the collar" and "fully aroused." The State's counsel, Maurice Coffey SC, described Ryan's account as "badly‑written erotica," arguing the woman's actions were implausible and that Ryan had prevented her from leaving the station and assaulted her three times. Defence counsel Breffni Gordon BL argued no crime was committed, noting the woman left the station the same day and later told her husband about the incident. The judge will deliver her charge on Thursday.
During a sentencing hearing for Daniel Okungbowa, a 35‑year‑old of Thornfield Square, Clondalkin, two women who were raped while asleep read victim impact statements. The first woman, now 31, was raped in 2016 and had pleaded guilty to the offence after a 2020 conviction. She described the assault as a loss of her soul, depression, anxiety and self‑harm, and said she forgives the rapist and prays for his healing. The second woman, now 32, was raped in September 2020 while celebrating with friends. She said the event changed her life, damaged her family relationships, and caused her to stop working. Both women described the rapist's attempts to blame them and his denial of the offences. The judge noted the offences were pre‑meditated, involved sleeping victims, and imposed a headline sentence of 14½ years, with a final 13‑year term and 18 months suspended on strict conditions. Daniel Okungbowa pleaded not guilty.
A 79-year-old Dublin man has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sexually abusing his two granddaughters over a fourteen-year period. He pleaded guilty to eleven counts of sexual abuse occurring between 2006 and 2020 at properties in Dublin and Cavan. The offences involved the older girl, who was between three and twelve years old, and her younger sister, aged five to eight during the abuse. The defendant initially denied the charges and only entered a guilty plea on the second day of trial after a jury was sworn. The abuse came to light in 2020 when the younger girl disclosed the matter to her school teacher. Judge Elva Duffy imposed consecutive sentences of three years and four years respectively. She commended the complainants and their mother for their bravery throughout proceedings. The judge noted the serious breach of trust and the significant impact on the victims' physical and mental health.
A 30‑year‑old Dublin man, whose name is withheld to protect the victim's anonymity, appealed his February 2018 conviction for one count of rape. He argued that the prosecution's closing address unfairly focused on his failure to give evidence and repeatedly scorned the testimony of Dr John Garvey, a sleep‑disorder expert who testified that the man suffered from sexsomnia. The defence maintained that the man was asleep during the assault, citing Dr Garvey's expert report. The appeal also challenged the judge's decision to allow evidence of a co‑worker's prior observation of the man's behaviour with the victim, and the use of video‑link testimony from abroad. The appellant contended these rulings prejudiced his right to a fair trial and made the verdict unsafe. The appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal on 23 July 2024. The article reports only the appellant's arguments and the court's hearing, without any outcome of the appeal.
A 21‑year‑old man was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford for pleading guilty to six counts of sexual assault against his younger sisters. The offences began in 2010 when the victims were eight to ten years old and continued until the older sister was ten. The court heard that the man controlled and sexually abused the sisters while they visited their father's home, forcing them to comply and threatening them not to tell anyone. The older sister, now 17, described the abuse as having torn her family apart and left her with nightmares and ongoing therapy. The younger sister, now 14, said she feared further harm and had lost focus at school. The judge, Justice Karen O'Connor, imposed a five‑year sentence with two and a half years suspended, back‑dated to June 17, and placed the defendant on the sex offenders register for five years.
In a Central Criminal Court trial in May, Anthony Byrne, 55, was found guilty of two counts of raping his stepdaughter Kim Jordan, now 36, in 2002. Jordan, who had been raped on her 15th birthday while on a family holiday in Spain, waived her anonymity to name Byrne. She described how Byrne, who claimed he was "having an affair" with her, had abused her during a strip‑poker game and later in their home. Jordan said Byrne blamed her for his actions and portrayed her as a "teenage sexual temptress." She recounted the assault in detail, noting her emotional state and fear of pregnancy. Byrne's defence acknowledged sexual contact but denied rape. Justice Mary Ellen Ring noted Byrne's claim of an affair and that sentencing would be delayed until July 31 due to late documents, while also referencing recent changes to the Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking Bill that affect sentencing procedures.
A 54‑year‑old man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to four charges of sexual assault against a 28‑year‑old woman who was a teenager when the offences occurred. The victim, aged 16‑17 at the time, described the defendant as a "sub‑human monster" and a "master manipulator" who repeatedly assaulted her while she babysat his children. She said he would stay up with her after his wife and children left, give her alcohol, and then sexually assault her in his home, on the couch, and in two local pubs. The victim's impact statement detailed how he groomed her, used derogatory language, isolated her, and caused her to feel ashamed and powerless. She also spoke of the emotional and psychological toll, including thoughts of self‑harm.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Hamed Azeez, 53, was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against a girl aged six to eight, and two counts of sexual assault against her sister aged eight to ten. The offences occurred between 2013 and 2015 in County Dublin, while Azeez was in loco parentis of the girls. The court heard that the rape took place on a counter at Azeez's home, and that other children were playing nearby. Azeez also touched the girl inappropriately, and later assaulted her sister by touching her breasts and buttocks. The victims gave impact statements describing lasting pain, fear, anxiety and a sense of loss of safety. Azeez denied wrongdoing. Justice Eileen Creedon sentenced him to 11 years' imprisonment, with a headline term of 12 years for rape and eight years for the assault offences, reduced by one year each and imposed concurrently.
Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for raping a seven‑year‑old girl in 2022, a crime committed days after the child's mother's funeral. The judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, highlighted the victim's extreme vulnerability and the lack of compassion shown by Shorten, noting that he "couldn't have cared less" about the long‑term pain inflicted. The sentence was reduced by one year from an initial 14‑year headline to 13 years, back‑dated to the date Shorten entered custody on 22 August 2022. Shorten also faces additional rape and sexual assault convictions from other incidents involving young women that occurred in the same year, but those sentences are pending. He remains in custody and has been working in the prison laundry under an enhanced regime.
A 49‑year‑old Meath man was jailed for 10 years after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of rape against his niece, who was aged eight to ten at the time of the offences. The niece, now in her twenties, described how the trial forced her to "relive the trauma over and over again," noting the terror of standing on the witness stand and hearing her uncle's breathing. She had suffered flashbacks since her teenage years and had struggled with denial and fear before finally disclosing the abuse to her family. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Burns, imposed an 11‑year sentence with the final year suspended for three years, citing the life‑changing impact of the abuse. The man maintains his innocence and is also serving a separate sentence for money‑laundering offences.
The Central Criminal Court has entered the closing stages of a trial involving a 61‑year‑old school soccer coach accused of raping and defiling a teenage student. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to 30 counts of sexual assault, four counts of defilement, one count of rape and one count of anal rape, all alleged to have occurred at unknown locations in the State between September 2007 and February 2010. The complainant was aged 15 to 18 at the time of the alleged offences, while the accused was aged 45 to 47. The judge directed the jury that the defendant would be found not guilty of the 30 sexual assault charges, leaving the four defilement counts, the rape count and the anal rape count for consideration. Prosecutor Fiona Murphy SC urged the jury to be satisfied that the complainant was under 17 and that the accused knew this, citing corroborating evidence.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 52‑year‑old man was convicted of 25 counts of sexual assault against his vulnerable adult stepdaughter, who was 21 when the abuse began in 2011 and continued until 2017. The assaults, which included inappropriate touching, attempts at intercourse, and digital penetration, occurred at a house in Co Offaly over six years. The victim, who has long‑standing mental health difficulties and has spent time in psychiatric wards, reported the abuse to work colleagues in May 2017 after the man returned to the home. He was arrested, denied wrongdoing, and later fled, prompting a European arrest warrant. He was extradited in 2021, released on bail, and later gave evidence for himself. The judge, citing the prolonged nature of the abuse, the breach of trust, and the victim's vulnerability, imposed an eight‑year sentence, back‑dated to October, with no probation supervision.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a jury was informed that the alleged sexual assault of a woman by Garda William Ryan at Aughrim Garda Station was described by the defence as "consensual activity between two adults." Defence counsel argued that the woman had cupped her own bottom, pressed herself against Ryan, and showed him her breast before they went upstairs together for consensual sexual activity. The woman repeatedly denied these claims, stating "definitely did not happen." Ryan, aged 38, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. The State alleged that Ryan prevented the woman from leaving the station and sexually assaulted her three times. The trial, presided over by Judge Elma Sheahan, continues with the jury hearing evidence from both sides.
Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was convicted in May 2024 of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a seven‑year‑old girl in 2012. The victim, now 20, requested anonymity. Shorten was also convicted in June of two counts of rape and one of anal rape against two other young women who had ridden in his taxi after a night out in Dublin in 2022. He is due to be sentenced next Monday by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, after Mr Justice Naidoo's unavailability.
A 61‑year‑old Dublin soccer coach was charged with 30 counts of sexual assault, four counts of defilement, one count of rape and one count of anal rape, all alleged to have occurred between September 2007 and February 2010. The complainant was aged 15 to 18 at the time of the alleged offences, while the accused was aged 45 to 47. The coach, who worked as a team coach at the complainant's school, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. In court, the coach claimed he had a sexual relationship with the complainant when she was 18, stating that the relationship began after she turned 18 and lasted six months. He denied any anal sex and denied having been in a hotel with her. The trial is ongoing before a jury presided by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has convicted Derry O'Rourke, a former Irish Olympic swimming coach, of raping and sexually abusing a teenage girl over three decades ago. O'Rourke, aged 78 and resident in Cavan, had pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault alleged to have occurred at a school between October 1989 and June 1990, when the complainant was aged 13 to 14 years. The trial judge directed the jury to acquit O'Rourke of four charges, leaving 12 offences for consideration. The jury unanimously convicted him on all remaining counts following five hours and 27 minutes of deliberations. Justice Melanie Greally remanded O'Rourke in custody pending sentencing on 30 July. O'Rourke has previous convictions for sexual offences dating back to 1998, including rape and indecent assault involving multiple victims. A victim impact statement has been ordered for the sentencing hearing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a serving Garda, William Ryan, aged 38, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. The case concerns an incident at Aughrim Garda Station on 29 September 2020, where a woman sought assistance with her son's case. According to the prosecution, Ryan invited her into the station, made lewd comments, and after a brief conversation, allegedly forced her to stand, slapped her buttocks, and locked the side door to prevent her escape. The woman is said to have tried to leave but was prevented by the lock. She reportedly showed Ryan a bikini photo, after which he allegedly grabbed her breast, propositioned her, and forced her into a shower room. In that room, he is alleged to have placed his hand on her, forced her to pull away, and then digitally penetrated her vagina.
A 61‑year‑old Dublin soccer coach has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for 30 counts of sexual assault, four counts of defilement, one count of rape and one count of anal rape. The alleged offences took place between September 2007 and February 2010 at unknown locations in the State. The complainant, aged between 15 and 18 at the time, was a student at the school where the coach worked. She said the coach, who was a married man with children, used his position to contact her, eventually becoming a prominent figure in her life. She alleged that he took her to private accommodation, drove her around, kissed her, touched her genital area and breasts, and forced sexual activity, including rape and anal rape, while she was under 18. The coach denies all allegations. The trial is proceeding before a jury presided by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon. The unnamed 61-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court is in the closing stages of a rape trial involving a 78‑year‑old sports coach accused of raping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl between October 1989 and October 1990. The defendant, who cannot be named, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault. The complainant, aged 13 to 14 at the time, is the sole witness. Prosecutor Patricia McLoughlin SC emphasised that the case hinges on the complainant's evidence, noting that such offences are typically secretive and that belief in her testimony is sufficient for conviction. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC highlighted discrepancies between the complainant's and the defendant's sketches of the room layout, arguing that the prosecution's only layout evidence is a Garda sketch from 2021. Justice Melanie Greally has begun her charge to the jury, who will retire tomorrow to consider the verdicts.
A 67‑year‑old man from Carlow was sentenced to life imprisonment by Ms Justice Melanie Greally for a prolonged pattern of sexual and physical abuse against his wife, spanning from 1991 to 2015. He pleaded guilty to 12 counts, including nine rapes, two sexual assaults and one assault causing harm, all committed in the family home. The judge highlighted the regularity of the offences, the use of gratuitous violence, and the presence of children during the assaults. The victim's impact statement described "25 years of hell" and the severe damage inflicted. Concurrently, the court imposed a four‑year sentence for the sexual assault and assault causing harm charges and ordered a two‑year post‑release supervision if he is ever released. The life sentence reflects the extreme and prolonged nature of the offending.
A jury has been empanelled for the trial of William Ryan, a 38‑year‑old Garda of Aughrim Station, who is charged with three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment of a woman at the station on 29 September 2020. Ryan appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, pleaded not guilty to all charges, and was informed that he is a serving member of An Garda Síochána. The trial, expected to last eight to nine days, will hear witnesses including Gardaí and senior detectives, and is scheduled to open tomorrow before Judge Elma Sheahan.
During the trial of a sports coach accused of raping a teenage girl 35 years ago, the jury heard from the complainant's father. He said the accused, a 78‑year‑old defendant who cannot be named, called him a month after the alleged rape and asked him to encourage his daughter to return to the sport, claiming she had "great potential." The father testified that his daughter, aged 13‑14 at the time, suddenly stopped participating in the sport and that the accused had encouraged her to return because he did not know what had happened. The jury also heard evidence that the accused regularly walked through the girls' changing and shower areas while they were showering and changing after PE classes. The trial, before Justice Melanie Greally, continues with the jury hearing further evidence and cross‑examination. The unnamed 78-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, Gerard Ward, aged 48, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for an aggravated sexual assault committed on August 25, 2020, at Raheen Business Park, Limerick. The assault involved a threat of rape, forced kissing, and the victim biting down on Ward's tongue, removing a significant portion. Ward also pulled the victim's hair, leaving a bald patch, and inflicted bite marks and scratches. He had previously been convicted of robbery, road traffic, and drug offences, receiving sentences of six and seven years in 2016 and 2001 respectively. The judge, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, set a headline sentence of seven years, reduced by 18 months, and suspended the final six months, citing Ward's remorse and acceptance of the jury verdict. The court noted Ward's injuries required relearning how to speak. The victim, who had called emergency services, was praised for her bravery.
A 17‑year‑old woman was raped by Geoffrey Kumah, 27, whom she had befriended online. She told the Central Criminal Court that after the assault she felt she had to "act normal" for her own safety. Kumah had sent a friend request on Facebook, communicated via Snapchat, and arranged to meet her at his residence. He raped her after consensual kissing, despite her repeatedly telling him she did not want intercourse and attempting to stop him. The victim's impact statement described her ongoing trauma, her need to seek help from a friend and counsellor, and her fear of further exposure during the court process. The judge, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, sentenced Kumah to seven years' imprisonment with the final six months suspended, after a headline sentence of eight and a half years. The sentence considered Kumah's lack of prior convictions, family situation, and cooperation with Gardaí. The victim's statement was praised for its eloquence and bravery.
The 48‑year‑old complainant, who was 13‑14 at the time, testified that the 78‑year‑old sports coach, who pleaded not guilty, began as her coach in secondary school and later performed "muscle checks" that involved touching her breasts and moving his hands up and down for about five minutes. She said the coach told her she was a "good girl" and that she needed to work harder, and that she would later digitally penetrate her. The complainant claimed the coach raped her in a small room after she resumed training in September, after which she did not inform her parents but stopped participating in the sport. She described feeling shocked, violated and that the trust had been broken. The trial is ongoing before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury.
The Court of Appeal increased the 46‑year‑old child rapist's sentence from 11 to 16 years after rejecting his appeal. He abused a girl aged eight to eleven, tying her to a bed, holding a knife to her throat and threatening her before raping her. The judge noted that this single offence alone warranted a headline sentence at the top end of the mid‑range, and that the original 13½‑year headline was too low. The appeal was dismissed, and the court quashed the original sentence, resentencing the offender to 16 years with the final six months suspended. The conviction remains for eight counts of rape, nine of anal rape, eight of oral rape and nine of sexual assault, with a two‑year post‑release supervision period retained. The victim, whose identity is protected, suffered lasting mental health effects and remains on medication for anxiety and sleep. The unnamed 46-year-old was acquitted.
A 78‑year‑old sports coach, unnamed for legal reasons, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault against a teenage girl in a Leinster school between October 1989 and October 1990. The complainant, aged 13–14 at the time, alleges that the coach first sexually assaulted her by bringing her into a small room and touching her breasts while claiming to take measurements. She says the abuse continued with the coach touching her breasts regularly, then touching her vagina under her clothing and digitally penetrating her. The abuse reportedly ended in June when the girl was on summer holidays, but resumed in September when the coach again brought her into the same room and raped her. The girl reported the coach to Gardaí in 2021, leading to an investigation. The coach pleaded not guilty.
Piotr Grycuk, 45, was found in possession of 10,347 images and three videos of child sexual abuse, including 30 in the most serious category. He pleaded guilty on 23 July 2018. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, after noting that he had not reoffended since a raid six years earlier and had undergone extensive therapy, imposed a three‑year sentence fully suspended. He is required to be supervised by Probation Services for 18 months. The court highlighted his insight, remorse, and low risk of reoffending, and noted that he had no prior convictions. The raid uncovered seven devices containing the material; Grycuk had voluntarily handed over memory cards and provided passwords. The case was brought to the court following an American law‑enforcement lead that supplied an IP address. The judge emphasised that the offence carries public odium and shame, and that Grycuk will suffer considerably in this regard.
A 26‑year‑old woman, who was raped by Tadgh Lonergan at a house party in Tipperary, delivered a victim impact statement at his sentencing hearing. She said the assault left her feeling "like a prisoner" in her own life, describing severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, flashbacks, nightmares and a loss of confidence. She noted that the rape disrupted her teaching career, her plans to travel and her sense of security, and that her loved ones also suffered. She urged the judge to consider the lasting effect of the crime and to help her regain her former self. Judge Tony Hunt acknowledged her statement, noted the seriousness of the offence, and remanded Lonergan in custody until the sentencing date on 29 July. The judge also highlighted that Lonergan had no prior convictions and that the case had been a "perfectly normal night out" turned tragic. Tadgh Lonergan pleaded not guilty.
A 51‑year‑old man was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of 12 counts of sexual assault and five counts of oral rape of his daughter between 2010 and 2015. The daughter, aged between 10 and 14 at the time of the abuse, was a survivor who had been unable to access therapy as a teenager. She said the abuse had caused severe physical and mental health problems, including complex PTSD, and that she had felt like she was on trial for six years. She criticised the use of her counselling notes in the trial, describing them as "surreal" and fearing they would be used to portray her as a liar. The court adjourned sentencing until 14 October. The defendant denied the allegations and his defence counsel presented two character references, arguing that incarceration would have a deep effect on his family and health. The case was heard by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was convicted in May of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a seven‑year‑old girl. The offences occurred after the child's mother's funeral, in a bathroom at her family home where Shorten covered her mouth, and later on a bed and in a car. The girl, now 20, had left a handwritten note in 2020 alleging abuse and was interviewed by specialist gardai in early 2021. Shorten denied all allegations during voluntary interviews in 2020 and 2021, calling them "110% lies" and a "wind‑up." He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and is due to be sentenced later this month. The case is part of a broader pattern of sexual offences by Shorten, who has eight prior convictions, including five for road traffic offences. Raymond Shorten pleaded not guilty.
A 20‑year‑old man was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final 20 months suspended, for raping his younger cousin when he was about 13. The offences, committed between April 2017 and March 2018, included three counts of rape, one anal and one oral. He was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with children, to avoid the victim and to comply with child‑safety measures. The judge noted the victim, now 14, had suffered trauma and praised her courage. The defendant pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and has no prior convictions. He is studying at third level and the sentence will commence after his August exams. The court also directed him to engage in relevant programmes and cooperate with probation services. The case was brought after a Tusla referral and investigation by specialist Gardaí.
At a preliminary hearing in Newry Magistrate's Court on 3 July 2024, former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson (61) and his wife Eleanor (58) were remanded on bail to face a series of child sexual offence charges. The judge, Eamonn King, found a prima facie case and asked the couple whether they wished to give a written or oral statement; Mr Donaldson declined, and Mrs Donaldson answered "No." Both were ordered to return on 10 September for their Crown Court trial. Mr Donaldson is charged with one count of rape (1987‑1991), 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child (1987‑1991) and four counts of gross indecency towards a child (2005‑2008). Mrs Donaldson faces charges of aiding and abetting rape (1987‑1991), three counts of aiding and abetting indecent assault on a female child and one count of child cruelty (2004‑2008). They were required to sign bail conditions before leaving the court's cell area.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, appeared at Newry Magistrate's Court for a preliminary enquiry to determine whether they should be sent forward for trial on sexual offence charges. The former Lagan Valley MP, aged 61, and his wife, aged 58, both of Dromore, Co Down, face a total of 23 alleged charges. Mr Donaldson is accused of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 counts of indecent assault, with alleged incidents occurring between 1985 and 2006. Mrs Donaldson faces five charges of aiding and abetting rape and aiding and abetting indecent assault, along with two counts of cruelty to a person under 16, alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2004. Judge Eamonn King was scheduled to consider prosecution statements and depositions to decide if a prima facie case exists. If sufficient evidence is found, the accused would be asked to enter pleas. The matter is currently at the charge or pretrial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded in this report.
A 23‑year‑old Wexford man was jailed for two years and ten months after being found guilty of 14 counts of sexual assault on his younger cousin between 2013 and 2020. The victim, aged five to eleven at the time of the abuse, was forced by the defendant, aged thirteen to twenty, to touch his own penis and to touch the boy's penis. The abuse took place in the boy's home and a grandparent's house. The defendant has maintained his innocence. The victim confided in his mother in April 2020, leading to police involvement. He was interviewed by specialist Gardaí and said the abuse occurred more than fifteen times. The victim's behaviour deteriorated, leading to aggression and criminal offending.
A 15‑year‑old boy, abused by his older cousin from age eight to eleven, told the Central Criminal Court that he had tried to kill himself to escape the pain. He said the abuse began when he was eight and the cousin was thirteen, lasting three years in a rural Leinster area. The boy's family moved away from their "forever home" and his father has suffered a stroke from the stress. He read his victim impact statement at the sentencing of the 20‑year‑old accused, who pleaded guilty to two sexual assault charges, oral and anal rape, and child exploitation for showing him pornographic images between January 2018 and February 2020. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final year on conditions, and directed the defendant to receive autism support and counselling.