The jury in the longest-running familial abuse trial in the history of the State is continuing its deliberations. The six men on trial, aged between 33 and 55, face a combined total of 20 charges, 16 of which pertain to the main complainant, who is deaf. They are her three uncles and her three younger brothers. All of the men deny any wrongdoing and have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The abuse is alleged to have occurred over a 19-year period between 1995 and 2014. None of the parties can be named for legal reasons. One of these brothers (Accused C) is further charged with four counts pertaining to the sexual abuse of two younger sisters. All men have denied all of the charges against them. The trial started with seven defendants facing a combined total of 103 charges, but one of the brothers (aged 34) had all 22 charges against him withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) towards the end of the trial.
Paul Kelly, 47, of Killarney, Co Kerry, was convicted at a trial in November 2024 of 12 sample counts of sexual assault, two counts of oral rape, and 12 counts of anal rape of his younger brother, Anthony Kelly. The abuse occurred between 1995 and 1999 when Anthony was aged 10 to 14. Kelly, who was 16 to 20 during the offences, denied all charges but was found guilty. He was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment by Ms Justice Melanie Greally. In a subsequent appeal against conviction, counsel for Kelly argued that evidence of the complainant's statement to a witness in the "present perfect continuous tense" was unfairly admitted, as it implied ongoing abuse seven years after it ended. The State's counsel rejected this as an "academic exercise on phraseology," noting the witness had also used the past tense. The appeal court, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, reserved its judgment to a later date. Anthony Kelly waived his anonymity to allow his brother to be named, stating the abuse caused lifelong trauma, including suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
A 51-year-old man from Baldoyle, Stephen Comiskey, was jailed for two years and four months after being found in possession of 101 files of child sexual abuse material. He had been engaging in explicit conversations with minors over a social media app, and gardaí discovered that he had communicated with several juveniles under the age of 18. Comiskey admitted to the court that he had been conversing with these children and apologized for his actions. He claimed he had no intention of meeting them but acknowledged that children had been abused to create the images found on his devices. The court heard that Comiskey had been attending counseling since November 2024 and is on medication for depression and anxiety. His defense highlighted his difficult childhood and struggles with his sexuality, but the judge emphasized the severity of the offense and the need for protection of children. The sentence was imposed after the court determined that the threshold for custody had been exceeded. Stephen Comiskey pleaded guilty.
A man who sexually abused a teenager over 20 years ago was sentenced to 38 months in prison, with the final four months suspended. The victim, who was 16 at the time, spoke out during the sentencing, saying that the abuse had stolen his childhood and left him with lasting trauma. He described the abuse as a secret he carried for years, leading to isolation, drug use, and a damaged relationship with his mother. The court heard that the abuse occurred over a year and involved mutual touching and oral rape. The accused, who had a previous conviction for sexual assault, was convicted on ten counts of gross indecency. The judge noted the prolonged nature of the offense and imposed consecutive sentences. The victim expressed gratitude to those who supported him and said he now feels seen and heard for the first time. The unnamed 62-year-old pleaded not guilty.
An offender who downloaded over 4,500 images and videos of child sexual abuse over an eight-day period before surrendering himself to gardaí has been jailed for 18 months. Aaron Catchpole, 32, admitted to contacting young girls on Instagram and requesting nude pictures. He pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in September 2020 and has seven previous convictions, including drug possession. His former partner reportedly threatened him with losing contact with his child if he did not confess. Catchpole handed himself into gardaí and admitted to viewing the material. His phone was seized, revealing 4,483 images and 32 videos of child abuse, including infants as young as six months. The court noted that Catchpole had only owned the phone for eight days. A Probation Service report indicated a high risk of re-offending but noted his remorse. Judge Martin Nolan suspended the final year of his sentence on conditions, including probation supervision. Catchpole has a history of drug addiction but has been in custody since last October and is making progress.
At the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on May 11th, 2026, a 33-year-old man from West Dublin pleaded guilty to drug possession, money laundering and making threats to kill. Mark Salmon has admitted possessing cocaine valued at €35,280 near Carrick-on-Shannon in March 2024 and acquiring criminal proceeds totalling approximately €84,000 across 2022 and 2023. The court heard evidence that Salmon intimidated two families over alleged drug debts, threatening one mother that he would have her son raped by "junkies" and shot. He also threatened to drive over the young man and put a bullet in his head. A second victim suffered financial loss and psychological harm after her son fled to England fearing for his safety. The three-judge panel, led by Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, adjourned sentencing to June 15th. Defence counsel argued for leniency based on guilty pleas and expressions of remorse.
A violent abuser who raped his former partner and subjected her to extreme domestic violence, including urinating on her, pouring bleach over her, and flushing her head down a toilet, has failed in his appeal to overturn his conviction. The man, who cannot be named to protect his ex-partner's identity, was convicted of 32 counts of assault causing harm, including 18 counts of assault causing harm, two counts of rape, and two counts of making threats to kill. The appeal was dismissed by Mr Justice John Edwards, who noted the victim's testimony about the degrading nature of the assaults. The defense argued that the prosecution's closing speech contained inappropriate expressions of personal opinion, but the court found that the trial judge adequately addressed these concerns. The appeal was dismissed, and the man was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with six months suspended. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma and fear experienced during the abuse. The unnamed 53-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Edward McGregor, 55, was jailed for nine years for sexually abusing his two young cousins over eight years, from 1986 to 1993. The victims, Frances McGregor and Caitriona Carr, expressed frustration with the lengthy and difficult court process. McGregor pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual assault and attempted rape. Justice Eileen Creedon noted the abuse's severe impact on the victims' mental health and trust. She reduced the headline sentence of 13 years to 10 years, considering mitigating factors. The victims hope the case will lead to changes in how such cases are handled, emphasizing the need for victim support and reducing delays. McGregor's defense highlighted his lack of previous convictions and his remorse, requesting a sentence that allows for rehabilitation. The prosecution emphasized the severity of the offenses, including the breach of trust as a babysitter and the prolonged nature of the abuse.
Dion Genockey, Daryl Rooney, and Troy Ryan were each sentenced to nine, ten, and nine and a half years respectively for the gang rape of a vulnerable teenager at Dollymount Strand in 2016. The men, who were aged 17 at the time of the offence, were convicted following a second trial at the Central Criminal Court in March 2022. Genockey's senior counsel, Thomas O'Malley, opened an appeal against his nine-year sentence, arguing that the headline sentence of 15 years set by the trial judge was too high and that a reduction of 12 to 13 years would have been appropriate, considering Genockey's youth, good work record, and supportive family. O'Malley also contended that the reduction given to the initial headline term was inadequate. Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing SC, representing Rooney, adopted O'Malley's submissions and argued the judge was wrong not to consider suspending any portion of his client's sentence. John Berry SC, for Ryan, also adopted his colleagues' submissions and suggested the judge had made an error in not considering suspending some portion of the sentence for societal good. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Eilis Brennan SC, argued that the trial judge had given a carefully reasoned decision and that there was no evidential basis for suspending any portion of the sentences. The court has reserved judgment on the appeal.
A Central Criminal Court judge has discharged a jury after it was revealed that some members had conducted their own internet research on a rape trial. Mr Justice Micheal Ó Higgins stated that the actions of the jurors were 'beyond regrettable' and had undermined the trial process. The trial, which involved allegations of rape, assault causing harm, and threats to kill, had been ongoing for two weeks. The jury had begun deliberations and had spent four and a half hours considering their verdict when the issue was raised. Justice Ó Higgins suspended deliberations and considered initiating contempt of court proceedings. However, the court decided not to proceed with such actions at this time. The judge emphasized that jurors must not conduct private research or access the internet for information about the case. He noted that such actions prejudice the administration of justice and are unfair to both the complainant and the defendant. The judge expressed concern that the issue arose at a late stage in the trial, causing additional stress for those involved.
A 67-year-old man who sexually abused his daughter for nearly ten years has lost an appeal in which he claimed the defence was unfairly surprised by her testimony about using a teddy bear to wipe his semen from her leg. His legal team argued that the detail emerged during the trial and the defence were not on notice of it. However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, with Mr Justice Alexander Owens stating that the trial judge had adequately explained to the jury why the defence counsel incorrectly suggested the complainant first mentioned the teddy bear in the witness box. The judge noted that the detail did not prejudice the defence and was a common occurrence during trials. The garda who failed to record the statement was said to have made an oversight, not a deliberate omission. The man was convicted of 71 counts of rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault in 2023 and received an 11-year prison sentence in 2024. The unnamed 67-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A former scout leader who raped his cousin and abused her two sisters has failed to overturn his rape convictions after a secret letter, allegedly from a juror, claimed jury bias. The letter, which was not investigated, alleged that some jurors had prior knowledge of the case and were biased. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating that no material from a juror is admissible after a trial. The 63-year-old man was convicted of five of six charges, including indecent assault and rape, and received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence. The court rejected the appeal, emphasizing that the jury verdicts were unanimous and no issues were raised during the trial. The man's legal team argued that the letter should have been investigated, but the court ruled that such actions would be a contempt of court and breach jury confidentiality. The unnamed 63-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Closing speeches concluded in the Central Criminal Court trial of six men, aged 32 to 55, accused of familial sexual abuse. The defendants, comprising three uncles and three younger brothers of the main complainant, face a combined total of 20 charges alleged to have occurred between 1995 and 2014. All accused have pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel for Accused F, a 32-year-old facing two rape charges, argued the allegations were nonsensical and the evidence full of holes. Counsel for Accused B, a 48-year-old uncle facing three rape and one anal rape charge, highlighted reliability issues, noting his client initially faced eight counts and that the complainant did not name him in her 2017 disclosure. Counsel for Accused G, a 45-year-old uncle facing one rape charge, stated the case relies solely on the complainant's evidence, which lacks detail. Accused A, a 55-year-old uncle, faces one rape charge. Accused C, aged 34, faces 10 charges, including rape and sexual assault against the main complainant and two sisters. Accused E, aged 32, faces two anal rape charges. All charges against a seventh man, Accused D, were withdrawn by the prosecution. The trial continues with the judge's charge to the jury.
A trial involving two brothers from Offaly charged with attempted murder at an unofficial halting site has begun. Patrick Ward (38) and John Pio Ward (42) are each charged with attempting to murder two men on March 21, 2025. They also face charges of possessing firearms and violent disorder. Both pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to last until May 21 and will be presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Meanwhile, in a separate case, defence counsel for three men accused of familial sexual abuse argued that the complainant's claims were unreliable. John Peart SC suggested the evidence was 'nonsensical' and full of holes. Hugh Hartnett SC highlighted the lack of reliability in the evidence, noting the complainant did not initially report the abuse. Marc Thompson Grolimund SC argued that the prosecution's case was weak and that the evidence lacked detail. The trial continues with the jury's charge from Ms Justice Caroline Biggs.
Mirons Nekrasovs, 21, of Swords, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The court heard that Nekrasovs, who had no previous convictions, was allegedly coerced by an international organised crime group into allowing his bank account to be used to extort €24,000 from 15 victims, aged 18 to 24, between November 2023 and July 2024. Prosecutors stated that CSAM was found on his devices during a search, though defence counsel argued the material was not distributed and that Nekrasovs was himself a victim of sextortion. Judge Jonathan Dunphy rejected a request for Section 100 treatment, citing the seriousness of the offences, particularly the exploitation of a child. He imposed a global sentence of two and a half years, suspended in full on strict conditions for three years. Nekrasovs was directed to place himself under probation supervision for three years. The judge also declined the defence application to anonymise the defendant, allowing his identity to be reported.
The prosecution in the case of six men accused of sexually abusing a deaf relative faces a significant challenge after the main complainant alleged that one of her brothers raped her when he was four years old. The trial in the Central Criminal Court continued with Karl Finnegan SC presenting the defence case. The six men, aged between 32 and 55, face 20 charges, with 16 related to the main complainant, who is deaf. The abuse is alleged to have occurred over 19 years, from 1995 to 2014. Accused C, one of the defendants, is charged with 10 counts of sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault, against his older sister and two younger sisters. The charges have been significantly reduced from the original 45, with some withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Finnegan argued that the prosecution's case has deteriorated, with changes in the alleged acts, locations, and ages involved. He highlighted the implausibility of the allegations, such as a four-year-old boy raping a seven-year-old girl, and questioned the credibility of the complainant's evidence. The unnamed 11-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Patrick O'Brien, 74, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being convicted of indecently assaulting a girl in 1990. The victim, who was 15 or 16 at the time, reported the abuse to gardai in 2022 after reading media reports that O'Brien had received a fully suspended sentence for possessing child sexual abuse material. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain acknowledged the offence as opportunistic but noted the significant age difference between the parties. She imposed a three-year prison sentence, with the final 12 months suspended for one year to incentivise rehabilitation given O'Brien's age. The judge directed O'Brien to undergo Probation Service supervision for one year post-release and to engage in offence or victim-focused work. The court heard that O'Brien accepted the jury's verdict. The victim stated that the ordeal changed the trajectory of her life and that reporting the crime was traumatic. Defence counsel noted that O'Brien complied with conditions of his previous suspended sentence and has no other pending matters. The judge expressed hope that the verdict would provide the victim with comfort, recognising the long-term impact of the assault.
The Court of Appeal has criticized the failure of gardai to interview the wife of an octogenarian child abuser but ruled that her husband's trial was not rendered unfair as a result. The man, now 87, had argued that his wife would have supported his claim that the girl did not spend the night at their home on the night of the attacks. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault in 1991 and sentenced to two years in prison. His appeal focused on the absence of his wife's statement, which his lawyers claimed would have challenged the victim's credibility. However, the court noted that his wife had died before the trial and that her potential evidence was not certain to be admitted. The judge also pointed out that the victim's evidence was not challenged on the issue of her staying at the abuser's home. The court concluded that the trial, while imperfect, did not result in unfairness for the appellant. The unnamed 87-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 27-year-old man who was convicted of orally raping his younger half-sister when he was a teenager has been sentenced to six years in prison, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The judge criticized a testimonial that described the defendant as having a 'strong moral compass' despite his convictions. The court heard that the abuse occurred in the girl's home, where she was a vulnerable child, and that the defendant was in a position of trust as her older step-brother. The judge noted that the age difference and the location of the abuse were aggravating factors. The defendant expressed remorse and accepted his guilt, but the judge emphasized the severity of the crime. The victim's impact statement highlighted the long-term trauma she experienced, including the loss of her sense of safety and the emotional toll of the court process. The defendant will also be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years and will undergo supervision by the Probation Service after his release.
A self-proclaimed 'drugs lord' named Craig O'Connell, who had 62 previous convictions, was jailed for nine years for raping a 16-year-old girl. O'Connell falsely claimed the girl owed him €12,000 and threatened her with violence if she did not comply. He convinced her to have sex with him, recording the act to provide proof. O'Connell continued to extort money from the girl, taking items such as her mother's wedding band and an engagement ring. He also threatened her former boyfriend, falsely accusing him of being a 'rat' and making him sell drugs to repay a debt. O'Connell pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including rape, theft, and coercion. The court noted the abuse of trust and the deliberate planning to terrify the victims. The judge imposed a sentence of 11 years for the rape and a consecutive six-year term for making a demand with menace. O'Connell was also ordered to attend sex offender treatment and be under post-release supervision.
Christopher Vaughan, a 63-year-old convicted rapist, was jailed for 13 years for sexually abusing a young girl in her home between 1996 and 1997. The victim described Vaughan as a monster and a coward, urging parents to watch for signs of abuse and teach children to speak out. Vaughan exploited the neglect in the victim's home, where her mother was an alcoholic and unable to protect her. He was violent towards the mother, contributing to a climate of fear. The abuse included two rapes and multiple sexual assaults, with Vaughan threatening to harm the mother and siblings. The abuse ended when the children were moved to their father's home. Vaughan denied the offences, but the court found him culpable, noting his prior rape conviction and the severity of the abuse. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma and the need for awareness about child abuse. The court emphasized the need for justice and the importance of protecting vulnerable children.
A man who became a trusted family friend has been jailed for 14 years for the sexual abuse of two young daughters in Galway. Benedick Joel (46) was convicted of 24 counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted anal rape on dates in 2017 and 2018. The court heard that Joel, referred to as 'Uncle Ben' by the children, was a family friend who initially engaged in 'body checks' on the girls and later sexually abused them. Both victims, now in their 20s, reported the abuse in 2022. Joel denied the allegations and has no previous convictions. The victims described the long-term emotional and psychological impact of the abuse, including depression, anxiety, and self-harm. The judge emphasized the breach of trust and the serious degradation of the offences, imposing a global sentence of 15 and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended to encourage rehabilitation.
A court has ruled that a now 20-year-old man who raped his then girlfriend when they were both teenagers cannot be identified, despite the State's objections. The defendant, who was 16 at the time of the offence, was convicted of rape but acquitted of sexual assault. The court heard that the victim was visibly distressed and crying when she was dragged to the toilet by the defendant. The defendant denied the rape and claimed the sexual activity was consensual. The court imposed a custodial sentence of three and a half years, with the final year suspended for two years. The judge noted the defendant's disregard for the victim's lack of consent and placed him under probation supervision and on the sex offenders register. The court also made a Gilchrist order to prevent the publication of any details that might identify the defendant, citing a culpable delay in charging him as a child. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A Romanian serial sex offender, Liviu Tenea, who committed two counts of aggravated sexual assault on a vulnerable woman in Leinster, failed to convince the Court of Appeal that his 19-year sentence was excessive. Tenea, who had a prior conviction in Spain, targeted a drunk woman, tricked her into his car, and drove her to an isolated location where he brutally raped her twice. The court found that Tenea showed no remorse or insight into the harm caused, and his actions were planned and executed with malice. The judge emphasized that the victim was an 'easy target' due to her intoxication and isolation. The court upheld the 19-year sentence imposed by the Central Criminal Court, noting that Tenea's guilty plea did not mitigate the severity of the crime due to the strength of the evidence against him. The victim suffered extreme harm, and the court ruled that the sentence was appropriate given the nature of the offence and Tenea's history of violence.
Slawomir Gierlowski, a predatory serial sex offender, failed to overturn his conviction for attempted rape and sexual assault in a Dublin park. Gierlowski, who has a long history of violent and sexual offenses against women, was found guilty of attacking a fourth victim in 2010. His defense argued that the circumstantial evidence against him was weak and that the trial judge improperly influenced the jury. However, the Court of Appeal dismissed these arguments, stating that the weight of the circumstantial evidence was a matter for the jury to decide. The court also rejected claims that the trial judge had improperly charged the jury or that the evidence was too tenuous to be considered. Gierlowski's fingerprints and DNA were found to match evidence from the crime scene, and the court upheld the conviction. The victim was attacked in a secluded part of the park, where the assailant attempted to strangle her and sexually assault her before fleeing the scene.
A 24-year-old Wicklow man was sentenced today at the Central Criminal Court after being convicted of eight counts of sexual assault following a trial last December. He had previously pleaded guilty to two further counts of sexual assault before the trial commenced. The offences, which occurred between December 2015 and July 2017, involved the defendant, then aged 13 to 15, abusing a girl aged 10 to 11 who was fostered by his mother. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon set a headline sentence of four years, reducing it to three years in light of mitigating factors including his early guilty pleas and lack of previous convictions. She suspended the final year of the sentence on conditions, including two years of Probation Service supervision post-release. The judge also ordered that the media must not identify the offender, despite the victim's wish to waive her anonymity, citing the defendant's age at the time of the offending. Defence counsel had argued for a suspended sentence, highlighting the defendant's youth, remorse, and community support. The court noted the victim's impact statement, which described lasting psychological harm. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence and the anonymity order.
A 19-year-old woman who was sexually abused, orally raped, and threatened at knifepoint by her father as a child has told a court that she plans to build an 'amazing life' for herself. The woman delivered her victim impact statement during the sentencing of her 39-year-old father, who was jailed for 16 years and six months. The abuse occurred between 2017 and 2021 in the family home in Limerick when the girl was aged between 11 and 15 years old. The man was convicted on 25 charges, including attempted rape, oral rape, sexual assault, and threatening to kill her. The woman stated in her victim impact statement that she tried to take her own life in May 2024 and that if it were not for her brother, she would not be here today. She said she is no longer in fear of her father and that she is leaving all the evil darkness with him. The judge described the case as serious and imposed an 18-year sentence, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions. The unnamed 19-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A now 75-year-old Limerick man, Tom White, repeatedly groped and sexually abused a young girl when they were neighbours more than 50 years ago, the Central Criminal Court has heard. White had regular access to the girl's house and repeatedly touched her inappropriately and subjected her to lewd commentary and physical abuse, his sentence hearing was told today. White went on to marry, had three children, and never came to garda attention in the intervening 50 years, his sentence hearing was told. His victim wishes for White to be named but wants to maintain her anonymity, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon was told. White, of Brookhaven, Montpelier, Co Limerick, was found guilty by a jury of 10 counts of indecent assault of the girl at her home and his home in Limerick on dates between August 1971 and August 1976 following a trial earlier this year. He was acquitted of a number of other counts on the indictment. The complainant was aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the offence, while White was in his 20s.
A 60-year-old Dublin man was given a suspended three-year sentence for harassing a vulnerable woman who had recently ended an abusive marriage, during which she was repeatedly raped. The woman described the man's behaviour as persistent, threatening, and frightening, and stated she was in a very vulnerable position. The man, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, who considered mitigating factors such as his guilty plea and lack of reoffending. The woman detailed how the man followed her to various places, including her children's schools and local shops, and even threatened suicide. She expressed that the man's actions made her feel unsafe and caused her significant emotional distress. The man's defence argued he was acting out of character and was going through a difficult period. The court acknowledged the woman's victim impact statement, highlighting the lasting effects of the harassment on her mental health and daily life.
Christina Hayes, 36, praised Detective Garda Maria Flynn for her dedication in pursuing justice for the sexual abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her stepfather, Tommy Barry. Barry was jailed for 12 and a half years after being convicted of sexual assault and rape of the child between 1996 and 1998. Hayes waived her right to anonymity to allow Barry to be named. She detailed the long-term effects of the abuse on her mental health, relationships, and self-worth. Detective Flynn worked on the case for over 25 years, including after Barry escaped from prison in 1999 and lived in the UK under different aliases. Hayes expressed gratitude to her teacher, who first reported the abuse, and to Detective Flynn for her persistence. Barry, who denied the charges, had a history of convictions in Ireland, Scotland, and England. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor acknowledged the courage Hayes showed and the efforts of Detective Flynn in bringing Barry to justice. Hayes emphasized her determination to protect her daughter and ensure she grows up safe and valued.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 17 April 2026, the prison term for 29‑year‑old Martin Gooney was increased from three years and two months to four and a half years after the State successfully appealed. Gooney had pleaded guilty in February 2025 to coercive control and sexual assault, and was originally sentenced by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court on 3 June 2025. The appeal focused on the severity of his conduct, which included hiding in the victim's shed to spy on her, threatening to hang her pet dog, and sending messages to her family purporting to be from her that expressed suicidal ideation. The Court of Appeal judge, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, described the offences as "grave" and "extremely manipulative", noting that Gooney had a history of nine prior convictions, including assault and threats of serious harm.
Veteran comedian Sil Fox, 94, failed in his attempt to have a jury hear his High Court claim for damages against the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), An Garda Síochána, and other state bodies. Fox, who was cleared of a sexual assault charge in 2020 due to inconsistencies in the complainant's evidence and CCTV footage, claims the prosecution destroyed his reputation and caused him emotional distress. His legal team argued that the DPP was guilty of a dereliction of duty and that the case should be heard by a jury due to its impact on public reputation. However, High Court judge Mr Justice Oisín Quinn ruled that the case was not suitable for a jury, citing the legal architecture of the case and the complexity of the issues involved. Fox's case will now be heard before a High Court judge only. The DPP's legal team argued that the prosecution was based on reasonable grounds, including the complainant's witness statement and CCTV footage. The judge concluded that the case was not appropriate for a jury and refused the application.
A 67-year-old man who repeatedly raped his daughter over nearly a decade has argued that his legal team was caught off guard by the victim's testimony about wiping semen from her leg with a teddy bear. The man's legal team told the Court of Appeal that this 'stark' evidence was not disclosed to the defence, and that the judge was wrong not to discharge the jury and select new jurors. The man, who cannot be named, was convicted in 2023 of 71 counts of rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2024. The abuse reportedly began on the day of the girl's first Holy Communion in 1988 and continued until 1997. The complainant said the abuse started with inappropriate touching and escalated to full sexual intercourse when she was between 14 and 17. The man's senior counsel argued that the judge should have discharged the jury after the victim's testimony about the teddy bear, which had not been disclosed to the defence. The unnamed 67-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, Justice Karen O'Connor imposed a seven‑year prison term on a man convicted of raping a woman in Dublin on 18 December 2021. The judge described the victim's 999 call as "chilling" and noted the man's claim that the sexual act was consensual and his lack of remorse. The victim, who was intoxicated but not drunk, was assaulted while sleeping after a party and later reported the rape to Gardaí. She suffered physical injuries and long‑term psychological effects, including depression, nightmares and difficulty trusting others. The judge thanked her for her dignity during the trial and wished her and her family well. The defendant, a West African refugee, had been granted status in the UK and had been in gainful employment. The sentencing was back‑dated to the man's March 2023 custody entry. The judge's remarks highlighted the victim's vulnerability and the defendant's disrespectful conduct.
A 39-year-old man has been jailed for 12 months and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for one week post-release for raping his cousin when they were both children. He pleaded guilty to one count of anal rape and one of oral rape, which occurred between 2000 and 2002 when he was aged between 13 and 15 and his cousin was between eight and ten years old. The court heard that the abuse took place in the defendant's bedroom, where the younger boy was manipulated into participating in the acts. The judge noted the significant age gap and the breach of trust, which were aggravating factors. She imposed a headline sentence of seven years for an adult, reduced it by half to reflect the defendant's age at the time, and suspended the final 12 months. The victim, who did not identify the abuser publicly, described the long-lasting emotional trauma and the impact on his family.
A man has applied to have his case declared a miscarriage of justice after the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction for the sexual assault of an asylum seeker he had met through an Islamic centre. The court overturned the now 59-year-old's conviction in 2023 after the man's legal team successfully argued it was unsafe. His defence relied on internet searches relating to sexual matters that were extracted using new software from the complainant's phone after the trial had concluded. They said that if the jury had known of those searches, it would have undermined her claim that she was a virgin and knew nothing of sexual matters prior to meeting the man. The man had pleaded not guilty to a sexual assault alleged to have occurred on December 1st, 2017, in Co Dublin. He was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in April 2021 and sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
The Court of Appeal has heard an appeal against the sentence of Daniel Ramamoorthy, who was convicted of sexually exploiting a 13-year-old boy and possessing child sexual abuse material. Ramamoorthy pleaded guilty to the possession charge, which was proven, while maintaining his innocence regarding the sexual exploitation offence. He was sentenced to two years and four months by Judge Sinéad McMullen at the Central Criminal Court on March 24 last year. The judge imposed an 18-month sentence for the possession charge, ordered to run concurrently with the sentence for the exploitation charge. During the appeal hearing, Mr Justice John Edwards criticised character references, including one from a TD, for failing to mention the victim or the nature of the crime. Counsel for Ramamoorthy argued the sentence was excessive and that his exceptional background and public service were not sufficiently weighted. The State argued the sentence was appropriate given the breach of trust and the victim's ongoing distress. The court reserved judgment, with the decision expected early next week.
Philip Sullivan, a 63-year-old Kildare native, is to be returned to prison after breaching the conditions of his suspended sentence. In 2008, the late Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed two concurrent life sentences on Sullivan for the alleged rape and sexual assault of two young boys, aged nine and 11, between 2004 and 2006. Sullivan appealed this decision, and the Court of Appeal quashed the life terms, substituting them with concurrent 15-year sentences. The final two and a half years of this term were suspended for 10 years on strict conditions, including a prohibition on being in the company of minors. Prosecutors told the High Court that in February, gardai found Sullivan in the company of three teenage boys, aged 15, 16, and 17, at his south Dublin home. While there was no evidence the boys consumed alcohol or cannabis in Sullivan's presence, his association with minors constituted a breach. Sullivan's risk assessment was subsequently upgraded from medium to high. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that Sullivan was not candid when confronted by gardai. The judge activated 18 months of the previously suspended sentence, ordering Sullivan's return to custody to ensure public safety and uphold the fundamental tenet of his supervision.
A 55-year-old man who repeatedly sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl when he was aged between 12 and 13 pleaded guilty to three sample counts at the Central Criminal Court. The offending occurred at a house in Co. Offaly between September 1983 and October 1984, with 11 other sexual-assault charges taken into consideration. Justice Patrick McGrath set a 15-month sentence and suspended the final nine months, taking account of the defendant's youth at the time, guilty plea, remorse, health and low likelihood of reoffending.
A Central Criminal Court trial heard an uncle deny an allegation that he raped his deaf niece, while describing her as truthful and honest. Seven men, including four brothers and three uncles, deny wrongdoing on a combined 103 charges alleging sexual abuse between 1996 and 2013. Garda interview transcripts were read for Accused B, who faces eight counts comprising rape, oral rape and anal rape. The trial continues. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A native Irish speaker, 39-year-old Derek Mulligan, has been found not guilty of murdering his grandfather by reason of insanity following a majority verdict by a Central Criminal Court jury. The jury accepted the evidence of two psychiatrists who testified that Mulligan was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the incident. Mulligan had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his grandfather, Derek Burns, who died from severe injuries sustained on December 19, 2023. The court also heard that Mulligan was found not guilty by reason of insanity on additional charges, including damaging property, making threats, and assaulting two individuals. The trial revealed that Mulligan had a history of mental health issues and had experienced significant trauma, including sexual abuse in his childhood. The court ordered Mulligan's commitment to the Central Mental Hospital for psychiatric assessment, with a return date scheduled for March 31. The judge exempted the jury from service for the next five years due to the difficulty of the case.
A 16-year-old boy who sexually assaulted a care worker and threatened staff with a screwdriver and knife at a care home pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, sexual assault, attempted oral rape and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed four years' detention and suspended the final 18 months for two years. Conditions include continued engagement with the Probation Service and no direct or indirect contact with the victims. The boy cannot be identified because of his age.
A Galway man who sexually abused his three sisters when they were children pleaded guilty to rape and two indecent assaults. The victims described decades of trauma after the abuse became known, while Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a global two-year sentence with the final six months suspended and post-release supervision.
An unnamed 35-year-old Dublin man was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a global term of nine years and two months after pleading guilty to six counts of child cruelty committed between 2016 and 2020. The court heard allegations that he subjected his six children to severe neglect and abuse, including repeatedly locking the oldest boy in a chest freezer, bathroom, and closet, as well as holding his head underwater. The children, aged between 10 months and eight years at the time of care in January 2020, were found living in filthy, cold conditions with inadequate food and clothing. The man's then-partner, the children's mother, was separately sentenced to two-and-a-half years in 2025 after pleading guilty to child neglect. During the sentencing hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi on three counts of sexual assault and two further counts against the man, meaning those specific allegations were not proceeded with. Judge Elma Sheahan cited the repeated nature of the cruelty, the profound breach of parental trust, and the children's dependency as aggravating factors. The man, who has 20 previous convictions primarily for public order offences, has since undergone drug treatment. The children are now placed in three separate foster homes.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Sean Kinneavy's conviction appeal, rejecting his argument that a jury's disagreement on two sexual-assault counts made its convictions on 47 other counts and two rape counts perverse. Kinneavy maintains his innocence; he was previously sentenced to nine years for rape offences and a concurrent eight years for sexual assaults.
The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence of David O'Sullivan, a 23-year-old convicted of raping two young girls he groomed on Snapchat, from nine years to thirteen and a half years. The State's appeal, brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, argued the original sentence was unduly lenient given the extreme nature of the offending. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy upheld the appeal, finding the conduct demonstrated a calculating mind and measured intent. O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape, oral rape, communication with a child for sexual exploitation, and production of child abuse material. The court imposed a six-and-a-half-year sentence for the first victim, a consecutive nine-year sentence for the second victim, and a concurrent six-and-a-half-year term for possession of child abuse material. After reducing the total by two years for proportionality, the effective custody term is thirteen and a half years. O'Sullivan will also serve a fifteen-year post-release supervision order and remain on the sex offenders register for life. The original sentencing judge had suspended two and a half years of his eleven-and-a-half-year term, but this appeal finalisation results in the increased custodial term.
A 19-year-old woman waived her anonymity and told the Central Criminal Court that she refuses to remain silent about repeated oral rape during childhood. Noel O'Neill was convicted of three counts committed when the victim was aged between six and 12. The court adjourned finalisation of the case to June 15 and remanded O'Neill in continuing custody. Noel O'Neill pleaded not guilty.
The State is seeking a review of David O'Sullivan's sentence after he groomed and raped two girls contacted through Snapchat and was found with 1,629 child abuse files. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued in the Court of Appeal that the sentence did not reflect the grave offending, and the court reserved judgment until next Tuesday. David O'Sullivan pleaded guilty.
Michael Poole was convicted of 14 counts of raping Lisa Brown and eight counts of indecent assault after abusing his niece while babysitting her. The court heard Brown tried twice to report the abuse and was rebuffed; Mr Justice Patrick McGrath sentenced Poole to 12 years, with the final two suspended. Michael Poole pleaded guilty.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Richard Morrissey's challenge to convictions for sexual assault and oral rape involving a girl abused in Louth from childhood. The court rejected arguments about the timeframe, corroboration warning, delayed disclosure and other evidence, holding that none of the appeal grounds had merit. Richard Morrissey was found guilty.