A retired Defence Forces member, aged 78, was sentenced to eight years in prison for raping a teenage babysitter, an incident that occurred in 1981. The victim, then about 13 or 14, was alone in the defendant's home while she was babysitting his children. He pleaded guilty to one count of rape at the Central Criminal Court. The judge described the offence as very serious, noting the defendant's exploitation of the victim's trust and lack of consent. The sentence, reduced from an initial 11 years, includes a two‑year suspended portion and requires the defendant to be supervised by Probation Services and to participate in a sexual offending programme. The victim's impact statement highlighted lifelong trauma, severe PTSD, and ongoing psychological treatment. The defendant has no prior convictions and is considered low risk of re‑offending.
A man in his 70s, arrested in July, faces 79 alleged historical sexual offences, including 78 indecent assaults on four girls aged eight to 15 between 1971 and 1981 in south Dublin, and one attempted rape. The charges are distributed among the victims: 42 counts against one girl, 34 against another, two against a third, and one against a fourth. He did not attend the short hearing. Defence counsel Karl Monahan BL requested a trial date. Judge Paul McDermott set the trial for 15 June 2026, with disclosure to be completed before the case is heard in January.
A 19‑year‑old teenager received a 12‑month suspended prison sentence for threatening to kill a former partner. The conviction followed an earlier acquittal of rape at the Central Criminal Court. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Burns, noted the victim's significant fear and set a headline sentence of two years for an adult, reduced to 12 months because the offender was 16 at the time of the offence. The sentence was suspended for three years under strict conditions, and the offender was directed to place himself under Probation Services supervision. The court could only sentence on the count where a guilty verdict was returned and could not consider other alleged offences. The victim's impact statement described fear, illness, and isolation, while the defence counsel accepted the verdict and offered an apology. The offender had no prior convictions and was a first‑time offender.
A man, now 49, was jailed for seven years for raping a teenage girl while he was a lodger in her home between 2001 and 2005. The victim, aged 11 to 14 at the time, was living with relatives after her mother's death and had an "uncle‑type" relationship with the lodger. The man, aged 25 to 28 during the offence, denied the charge and had no prior convictions. He was convicted by a jury after a trial in the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath sentenced him to an eight‑year custodial term, suspended the final year on the condition of good behaviour, peacekeeping and two years of probation. The judge praised the victim's evidence and wished her well. The defendant's defence described him as a caring, respectful person and argued the offence was out of character. The court noted the large age gap, breach of trust and use of alcohol as aggravating factors.
A 44‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for a series of sexual offences against his daughter, aged five to eight during 2020‑2022, and for a prolonged assault on his former partner on 28 September 2023. The court found him guilty of five counts of sexual assault, four counts of rape, one count of exposing the child to pornography, one count of false imprisonment of the partner and one count of threatening to kill her. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the partner. The judge imposed six years for the partner's offences and 13 years for the child's offences, to run consecutively, suspending the final year on conditions including probation supervision for three years. The sentence reflected the domestic violence provisions and the severe impact on the victimised daughter, who remains a child. The man continues to deny the charges.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman in her 50s was found guilty of facilitating the rape of her six‑year‑old daughter by the child's uncle and of sexually assaulting the child when she was four. The court also heard that the uncle, in his 40s, was convicted of raping the child after the mother had brought him into a bedroom where the child was lying on a bed watching television. The mother remained in the room during the rape, lifted her daughter from the bed, and returned her to her own bed in another room. She had denied 14 charges, including 13 of sexual assault and one of rape, but was convicted in July 2025 after an 18‑day trial. The uncle had denied six charges of rape and was convicted of one charge in March 2023. A third defendant, accused of oral rape, was nolle prosequi.
A 22-year-old man from Carlow has been sentenced to two years in prison for two counts of oral rape and one count of sexually assaulting his younger cousin between January 2017 and June 2018. The defendant, who was aged between 13 and 14 at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The victim, who was aged between 10 and 11, disclosed the abuse to her mother in 2018, but no further action was taken at the time. The abuse came to light again in 2022 when Tusla notified gardaí of the disclosure. In a victim impact statement, the young woman described the lasting emotional trauma she has experienced, including nightmares and feelings of guilt and shame. The court heard that the defendant told the victim not to disclose the abuse, or she would get into trouble. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath noted the defendant's actions were a gross breach of trust and had long-term effects on the victim. He reduced the headline sentence of eight years to two years and ten months, suspending the final ten months to encourage engagement with the Probation Service's assessment and treatment programme. The defendant's guilty plea and lack of previous convictions were taken into account. Defence counsel highlighted the defendant's difficult upbringing, isolation, and history of mental health issues.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of familial sexual abuse continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs. The defendants, comprising three uncles and four brothers aged 32 to 55, face a total of 98 counts regarding a deaf woman, Complainant 1, alleged to have been abused between 1996 and 2013. All accused deny the charges. Accused C (34) has pleaded not guilty to 46 counts against two other sisters, including Complainant 2. During cross-examination, Complainant 2, now 26, addressed allegations that Accused C sexually assaulted her at age six and raped her at ages 16 and 19. She withdrew a previous complaint against a non-trial brother, describing it as a "bad dream that felt real." A garda testified that Complainant 2 was under the influence of medication when initially reporting an incident but later refused to provide a formal statement. Accused A (55) faces one count of rape; Accused B (48) faces eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape; Accused D (33) has pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three of anal rape; Accused E (32) denies nine counts of anal rape and seven of rape; Accused F (32) denies five counts of anal rape and rape; and Accused G (45) denies one count of rape. The trial is ongoing.
David Kearney, 39, was sentenced to ten years in prison for a series of sexual offences against a girl who was aged 11 to 16 during the period from April 2019 to October 2023. He pleaded guilty to twelve counts of sexual abuse, including rape, oral rape, anal rape and the use of communication technology to facilitate the exploitation of a child under 17. Kearney's crimes were committed while he was living a double life as a family man, partner and father, and a drug user and sexual abuser. The court noted that the victim, now 17, had endured severe emotional trauma and that Kearney's appreciation of his wrongdoing was limited. The judge imposed a 10‑year custodial sentence, suspended 18 months, with conditions including therapeutic programme participation, no contact with the victim, and probation supervision for 18 months after release. The sentence was reduced from an initial 11½‑year term after mitigation arguments.
Winifred Joyce, aged 30, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with the last six months suspended on strict conditions, after pleading guilty to common assault and sexual assault in November 2022. The judge described Joyce's conduct as a "humiliating internal search" that was "inexcusable" and a "brutal, humiliating attack." The offence stemmed from a dispute over drugs at a Dublin city centre hostel. Joyce grabbed the victim by the hair, forced her to crawl, struck her, and sexually assaulted her while searching for drugs. Joyce has 62 prior convictions, including 29 thefts and one assault causing harm, and is undergoing treatment for addiction and schizophrenia. The suspended portion requires her to engage with the Probation Service, mental health supports and addiction treatment for 18 months after release.
A 29‑year‑old man was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for sexually abusing his three younger half‑siblings between 2012 and 2018. He pleaded guilty to one count of defilement and several counts of sexual assault. The first victim was aged eight to fourteen when the offence occurred, the second five to ten, and the third nine to fourteen; the defendant was aged fifteen to twenty‑two during the incidents. The judge noted aggravating factors such as the victims' ages, the defendant's use of force and the impact on the children, and mitigating factors including early guilty pleas. The sentence comprised six years for each sexual assault count, an eight‑year defilement term with the final year suspended for 18 months, all running concurrently. The defendant will be supervised by Probation Services for 18 months post‑release and is prohibited from unsupervised contact with children.
In October 2025, a 43‑year‑old man from a European country was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for sexual assault and attempted rape of a Ukrainian refugee outside a Dublin nightclub in March 2024. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm before the trial. The court heard that the victim, who remains anonymous, was severely affected, losing work, experiencing health problems, and fearing for her daughter. The judge described the offence as "profoundly disturbing, degrading, primitive" and set a headline sentence of ten years, reduced to nine years, with the final year suspended on conditions that the defendant have no contact with the victim and leave Ireland for 14 years after release. The defendant entered a bond agreeing to these terms. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, with CCTV evidence showing the assault and the victim's struggle. No prior convictions were recorded for the defendant.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of familial sexual abuse continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs. Complainant 2, a 26-year-old woman, testified that her older brother, Accused C (34), allegedly raped her when she was 16 and 19. Accused C has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting her between 2005 and 2006, and to two counts of rape and one count of anal rape between 2016 and 2019. He also faces 46 further counts against two other sisters. His six co-accused, aged 32 to 55, deny a total of 98 counts regarding Complainant 1, a deaf woman, alleged to have occurred between 1996 and 2013. Accused A (55) denies one count of rape; Accused B (48) denies eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape; Accused D (33) denies 19 counts of rape and three of anal rape; Accused E (32) denies nine counts of anal rape and seven of rape; Accused F (32) denies three counts of anal rape and two of rape; and Accused G (45) denies one count of rape. All accused deny the charges. The matter is at the trial stage and has not been finalised.
Iosif Ghergut, 50, of Galway, pleaded guilty to one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault against Jade MacFarlane, a friend of his daughter, at his home on 10 October 2021. The court found aggravating factors including the victim's trust, a 27‑year age gap, and the assault occurring in a bathroom where she could not leave. Ghergut had no prior convictions. Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced him to five years and eight months for the oral rape and four years for the sexual assault, with both sentences running concurrently. The judge suspended the last six months of the longer term and back‑dated it to the date of his arrest. Ghergut will be supervised by Probation Services for 12 months after release. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court in Galway.
A 25‑year‑old man was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended for two years, by Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court for sexually assaulting his 13‑year‑old cousin. The court heard that the defendant lured the child to an abandoned shed, forced her into a sexual assault, and threatened to drown her in a river if she disclosed the crime. He also threatened the child's father, saying he would leave him looking like the horror‑movie doll 'Chucky'. The defendant pleaded guilty to the assault and to witness intimidation. He has 81 prior convictions, including theft, fraud, road‑traffic offences and criminal damage. The judge noted the victim's bravery and the aggravating nature of the threats, and ordered the defendant to engage with Probation Services, Tusla and a therapeutic group programme while in custody and for two years after release.
The trial of seven men accused of familial sexual abuse continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. Complainant 3, now 24, testified that she awoke at age 12 to find her brother, Accused C, anally raping her. Accused C, 34, has pleaded not guilty to this count and 49 other charges against Complainants 1 and 2. During cross-examination, he denied being influenced by his sisters' allegations, stating he identified his brother as the perpetrator. He accepted the incident may have occurred when he was ten, though he initially stated he was 12. He denied requiring medical treatment for bleeding discovered in the bathroom. Accused C also faces 45 counts against Complainant 1, including 22 rape and 23 anal rape charges, and four counts against Complainant 2. His six co-accused, aged 32 to 55, face 98 counts regarding Complainant 1, a deaf woman, alleged to have occurred between 1996 and 2013. Accused A, 55, is accused of one rape count. Accused B, 48, faces eight counts including rape, oral rape, and anal rape. Accused D, 33, pleaded not guilty to 19 rape and three anal rape counts. Accused E, 32, denied nine anal rape and seven rape counts. Accused F, 32, denied three anal rape and two rape counts. Accused G, 45, denied one rape count. All accused deny the charges. The trial is ongoing.
The trial of seven men accused of familial sexual abuse is ongoing before the Central Criminal Court. Complainant 3, a 24-year-old woman, testified via videolink that her brother, Accused C, anally raped her when she was 12. Accused C, 34, has pleaded not guilty to this count, as well as 45 counts against Complainant 1 and four counts against Complainant 2. The other six accused men, aged 32 to 55, face a total of 98 counts relating to Complainant 1, a deaf woman. Accused A, 55, is accused of one count of rape. Accused B, 48, faces eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape. Accused D, 33, has pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three counts of anal rape. Accused E, 32, has denied nine counts of anal rape and seven counts of rape. Accused F, 32, has denied three counts of anal rape and two counts of rape. Accused G, 45, has denied one count of rape. All accused deny the charges. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Biggs with a 15-member jury, is set down for four months.
A suspended sentence was imposed on Gedas Bertulis (34) during an appeal stage at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Bertulis pleaded guilty to possessing 35 videos of child sexual abuse material at his home in Mulhuddart in March 2022. The videos involved children aged between five and 13 years old in various sexual activities, including five videos of children in sexually explicit poses. Bertulis admitted to the charges and expressed remorse, stating he was glad he was caught and that his behaviour made him feel sick. His defence, Karl Monahan BL, explained that during the lockdown, Bertulis began drinking heavily and downloaded the material from websites designed to obscure user identity. Bertulis, a Lithuanian national with no relevant previous convictions, has not come to adverse garda attention since the offence. Judge Martin Nolan referenced the 2006 'DPP v Loving' judgment, which advised that in the absence of aggravating factors such as distribution or prior offending, a non-custodial sentence should be considered. As such, the judge imposed a two and a half year suspended sentence, conditional on Bertulis keeping the peace and being of good behaviour for that period.
Aaron Barwell, 30, of Coldcut Park, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of oral rape, one of rape and one of attempted rape against three escort victims between January and August 2021. He lured each victim to his home, used violence and threats, and in the first case forced oral sex and used a hammer. In the second case he threatened with a screwdriver and forced oral, vaginal and anal sex. In the third case he threatened to kill her and used a screwdriver, but the victim resisted and escaped. Gardaí seized a knife, cable ties and a silver hammer during a search of his apartment. Barwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the final two years suspended. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, upholding the 20‑year term and the suspended portion. The case remains at the appellate stage.
During a sentence hearing in March, Chloe Loran, aged 16 when the relationship began, delivered a victim impact statement describing the emotional trauma of being raped twice by Martin Harte, 33, in 2019 and 2022. She said the assaults left her feeling as if she had been murdered and that her body remained while her life was destroyed. Harte, of Marian Hill, pleaded guilty to defilement in 2013 and to the two rapes. The court imposed a nine‑year prison term, with the final year suspended indefinitely under strict conditions, and a four‑year post‑release supervision order. Harte was also directed to avoid any contact with Loran and to comply with all probation directions. The judge noted the aggravating factors of the offences occurring in Loran's home and the breach of trust. The sentence reflected Harte's global offending and the mitigating factors presented by his defence.
In October 2025 the State appealed a four‑year jail sentence for Gerard Nevin, who pleaded guilty to 22 counts of sexual assault against his stepdaughters, Catalina and Alexa Grancea, between 2012 and 2020. Nevin, aged 42, was sentenced by Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin to a global term of six years, with the final two years suspended. The victims, aged between seven and sixteen during the offences, waived anonymity. The appeal, presented by Caroline Latham BL for the Director of Public Prosecutions, argued the sentence was inadequate, disproportionate and unduly lenient, citing the systematic and frequent nature of the abuse, the victims' ages, and the lack of evidential basis for the suspended portion. Nevin's counsel, Tim O'Leary SC, countered that the judge had correctly applied mitigating factors, including Nevin's guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and expressed remorse. The court has reserved judgment on the appeal.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 80‑year‑old Desmond Walsh was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for sexually abusing a child aged five to nine between 2011 and 2015. The judge, Martin Nolan, noted the repeated nature of the abuse and the victim's young age as aggravating factors, but also cited Walsh's guilty plea, remorse, lack of prior convictions, long work history and low likelihood of re‑offending as mitigating factors. Walsh had been extradited from Spain after leaving Ireland in 2018 and was returned to face the charges in November 2022. The victim, who remained unnamed, gave an impact statement expressing a desire to return to normal life. The judge urged Walsh to feel ashamed of his actions. The sentence was reduced from an initial headline of eight years to four years, with credit given for time already spent in custody.
In a Dublin court, a 38‑year‑old woman whose older brother sexually assaulted her between 1999 and 2002 pleaded guilty to sexual assault. She was aged eight to eleven at the time, while the brother was twelve to fifteen. The court accepted the plea on a full facts basis and imposed a two‑year sentence, with eight months suspended on strict conditions. The woman described four incidents of abuse, the last occurring while their mother was downstairs. She said she felt shame, fear of not being believed, and turned to drugs and alcohol, but is now receiving counselling. Her parents disowned her and supported the brother after she complained to Gardaí. She stated that forgiveness is not an option and that she will never forgive him.
A 36‑year‑old man, Jasmin Nasic, was jailed for one year after a jury found him guilty of sexual assault and offensive conduct of a sexual nature for groping a 16‑year‑old girl in a Dublin supermarket. The victim, who was helping her mother shop, said the assault took place when Nasic put his hand on her buttocks and forcefully groped her as he walked past. She described the incident as "opportunistic and demeaning" and said the trial caused her stress, anxiety and sleepless nights. Judge Martina Baxter, after hearing the victim's impact statement and a Probation Service report that Nasic is at moderate risk of re‑offending, sentenced him to two years in prison, suspending the final year on conditions including one year of probation. Nasic has no prior convictions and has worked in Ireland since 2016. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Seven men, aged 32 to 55, are on trial at the Central Criminal Court, accused of sexually abusing a deaf woman over a 17-year period from 1996 to 2013. The accused, comprising three uncles and four brothers of the complainant, have all pleaded not guilty to a total of 98 counts. Prosecuting counsel Gerardine Small SC outlined that the allegations are being tried together for convenience but must be considered separately. The complainant, who will be assisted by interpreters and an intermediary, reportedly disclosed the abuse to a social worker in 2017. Accused A (55) faces one count of rape; Accused B (48) faces eight counts including oral and anal rape; Accused C (34) faces 45 counts of rape and anal rape, plus additional charges of sexual assault and rape against two other sisters; Accused D (33) faces 22 counts; Accused E (32) faces 16 counts; Accused F (32) faces five counts; and Accused G (45) faces one count of rape. All defendants deny the allegations. The trial is set down for four months, and the jury was directed to return on Monday to commence evidence.
Seven men, aged between 32 and 55, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to a combined total of 103 charges of sexually abusing a deaf complainant over a 17-year period. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and an extended jury panel of 15, is estimated to last four months. None of the parties can be named for legal reasons. Accused A (55) pleaded not guilty to one count of rape alleged to have occurred between December 2009 and April 2011. Accused B (48) pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including five counts of rape, one count of oral rape, and two counts of anal rape, alleged between December 2008 and December 2010. Accused C (34) pleaded not guilty to 50 charges, comprising 45 counts against the main complainant (22 rape, 23 anal rape) between February 2001 and December 2013, plus five additional charges against two other complainants. Accused D (33) pleaded not guilty to 22 counts (19 rape, 3 anal rape) between January 2002 and December 2013. Accused E (32) pleaded not guilty to 16 counts (7 rape, 9 anal rape) between April 2003 and December 2011. Accused F (32) pleaded not guilty to five counts (3 rape, 2 anal rape) between December 2007 and April 2010. Accused G (45) pleaded not guilty to one count of rape between December 1996 and December 1997. The jury was informed the complainant requires two interpreters and an intermediary.
A 69‑year‑old man was jailed for seven years after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury convicted him of two sexual assault offences against his step‑daughter. The first assault occurred when she was a child; she disclosed it but the case did not progress. The second assault happened when she was 27 and sharing a bed with her own daughter. The man denied the charges and did not accept the verdicts. The court noted the victim's deep trauma, her excessive alcohol consumption, and the aggravating factors of the man's position in her life and the presence of her child during the second assault. The judge imposed a headline sentence of five years for the first offence, reduced to four, and a three‑year term for the second, resulting in a consecutive seven‑year custodial sentence with no suspension. The man has not shown insight into his offending.
In a County Galway housing estate, a 16‑year‑old was convicted of sexual assault and rape of a 13‑year‑old girl he had been dating for weeks. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, saw the accused plead not guilty to three charges of oral rape and one of rape. The jury, after three‑and‑a‑half hours of deliberation, found him guilty on all counts. The judge remanded him on continuing bail and adjourned sentencing to 3 November. The case included a video interview with the girl, who described being forced into sexual acts and later realizing the incidents were rape. Forensic evidence noted bruises on her body, including the genital area, and the examiner highlighted the unusual persistence of such bruising. The prosecution presented a Snapchat message from the girl to her mother, confirming the assault.
A 61‑year‑old Limerick man failed to overturn a conviction for sexually abusing his partner's daughter over a two‑year period when she was 12 to 14. The Court of Appeal rejected his appeal, upholding the jury's finding of guilt on 31 counts of sexual assault, oral rape, attempted rape and attempted anal rape at various Limerick locations between 1994 and 1997. The man had pleaded not guilty but was found guilty after a one‑week trial in the Central Criminal Court in November 2022, and was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment by Mr Justice Paul McDermott in February 2023. His appeal argued that a statement by the victim's mother, in which he allegedly said "I'm sorry for what I did to the kids", was inadmissible and that a change of dress after remand had prejudiced the jury.
Joseph Campbell (63), of Castle Court, Daingean, Co Offaly, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to eight and a half years in prison for rape and sexual assault. Campbell, who maintains his innocence and does not accept the jury's verdict, was convicted last June of raping an 11-year-old boy, identified as Devin O'Donnell, in October 2017. Additional charges of sexual assault in December 2021 were taken into account. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring imposed a headline sentence of 11 years, reduced to 10 years, with the final 18 months suspended. Concurrent six-year terms were imposed for the sexual assault offences. Campbell was ordered to have no contact with Mr O'Donnell during his imprisonment and for five years post-release, and must engage with the Probation Service for 12 months upon release. The judge noted aggravating factors, including Campbell's breach of trust as a grandfather figure and his lack of insight, while accepting his lack of previous convictions as mitigation. The sentence hearing had previously been adjourned to allow for the preparation of a Probation Services report.
In a County Galway housing estate, a 16‑year‑old boy pleaded not guilty to three charges of oral rape and one of rape of a 13‑year‑old girl. He was interviewed by gardai in February 2024 when he was 15, with his mother and solicitor present. In the interview he denied all allegations, calling them the "biggest lie" and "bullshit", and said he had never asked the girl for sex. He admitted only lightly pinching her. A forensic examiner testified that the girl had more than 20 bruises, some on her breasts, inner thighs and genital area, and that a bruise in the genital area was "consistent" with painful penetration. The court heard the forensic findings and cross‑examination of the girl's statements, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 16‑year‑old girl denied that she fabricated a rape story to attract attention. She testified that the 14‑year‑old boy she dated had raped her on four occasions between June and July 2023, including three instances of oral rape and one of rape when she was 13. The incidents allegedly took place in a County Galway housing estate. The girl gave evidence via video‑link, assisted by an intermediary who read her written responses. She described the assault, stating the boy forced her to give oral sex and then raped her, leaving her traumatized. She also explained that she had informed her mother through a Snapchat message on 7 July 2023, claiming the boy had raped her, and that she had told friends about the events. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, continues with the accused pleading not guilty to the four charges.
In a County Galway court, a 16‑year‑old boy was tried for four charges of sexual assault and rape against a 13‑year‑old girl he had been dating for a few weeks. The boy pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, led by Anne Rowland SC, presented a Snapchat message from the girl to her mother dated 7 July 2023, in which she claimed the boy had raped her and threatened to hit her. She also sent photographs of bruises on her legs and left breast, which she said were caused by the boy. A video of her interview with specialist Gardaí was shown, where she described being forced into sexual acts, including oral rape, and a forced vaginal penetration on a Tuesday. The girl reported bruising, bleeding, and a burning sensation after the alleged assault. The boy admitted to seeing the girl but denied any sexual contact. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury.
Patrick Kinsella, a security officer at RFC Security Ltd, claimed in a tribunal that a manager threatened him with anal rape in October 2024 and made other sexually offensive remarks in December and January 2025. He also alleged mockery and abuse over a dental problem. Kinsella raised these allegations formally in February 2025, after a prior warning in September 2024. The company denied all claims, stating no unlawful treatment occurred, and argued lack of corroboration. The tribunal found the alleged remarks "vile" and "outrageous," and noted that the alleged perpetrators did not testify while Kinsella provided detailed evidence on oath. The adjudicator concluded that RFC Security Ltd failed to displace the burden of proof, upheld the sexual harassment complaint, and awarded Kinsella €7,500 in compensation, but did not uphold an ageism claim. The award considered Kinsella's delayed complaint filing. The tribunal decision was issued on 23 September 2025.
Darius Langas, 37, of Ballinasloe, was convicted after a week‑long trial at the Central Criminal Court for raping a woman in a bathroom. He denied the charge on 13 August 2022 but was found guilty. Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced him to ten years, with the final twelve months suspended on strict conditions for five years. The victim, who was drinking with Langas and another man before the assault, was pushed into a bathtub and raped from behind. She reported extensive injuries and later provided a victim impact statement detailing anxiety, depression, nightmares, panic attacks, and the loss of her children. Langas admitted the act but claimed it was consensual. The judge noted the seriousness of the offence and imposed the suspended sentence, placing Langas under probation supervision for three years post‑release. The court expressed hope for the victim's recovery.
In a Dublin court, a 17‑year‑old man was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for raping a 16‑year‑old girl and for engaging in a sexual act with a 12‑year‑old. The judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, noted the defendant's youth and immaturity, and imposed consecutive sentences for the two victims. The total sentence was six and a half years, with the final year suspended for two years on strict conditions aimed at rehabilitation and victim awareness. The court heard that the defendant had communicated with the 12‑year‑old via Snapchat, sent her pictures, and met her at an abandoned house where the sexual act occurred. The 16‑year‑old was raped after the defendant entered her home, and the defendant's brother allegedly threw a condom during the incident. The judge highlighted the defendant's lack of awareness of consent and the significant age disparity with the 12‑year‑old. The unnamed 12-year-old pleaded guilty and was convicted.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by Conor McGregor against a jury finding that he was civilly liable for the rape of Nikita Hand in 2018. The original High Court jury awarded Ms Hand €248,000 in damages and ordered McGregor to pay both parties' legal costs, totaling €1.3 million. Co-appellant James Lawrence, who was found not civilly liable for rape, received no costs order because the jury did not accept his evidence and McGregor paid his legal fees. Both men denied the allegations. The appeal court rejected all grounds raised by McGregor, including arguments regarding the admission of his "no comment" responses to gardaí and the wording of the issue paper. Justice Brian O'Moore stated it was "simply unreal" that jurors could have been confused by the term "assault" when the trial judge clarified it referred to rape. Claims of "new evidence" regarding bruising on Ms Hand, based on affidavits from Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, were withdrawn on the first day of the appeal. The court awarded costs to Ms Hand for both appeals and made no costs order for Lawrence. Ms Hand stated the process re-traumatised her and urged survivors to seek justice.
American Kevin Yungman, 32, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for raping a 19-year-old woman in June 2018 in an Airbnb on Usher's Quay, Dublin city centre. Yungman pleaded guilty to the single charge of rape, which involved causing the victim to pass out by squeezing her neck. Mr Justice Hunt imposed a six-year prison sentence, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. The sentence was backdated to August 2024, when Yungman entered custody in the United States following his arrest and extradition to Ireland. The judge noted that the headline sentence was eight years, reduced due to mitigation including the guilty plea and the difficulty of serving time in a foreign jurisdiction. Aggravating factors included the asphyxiation of the victim. Conditions of the suspended portion include a perpetual ban on direct or indirect contact with the victim. Additionally, Yungman is ordered to leave the jurisdiction upon release and is prohibited from returning for 10 years. The court acknowledged the victim's recovery and the support provided by Yungman's family, who expressed remorse and accountability during the proceedings.
Christopher O'Grady, 34, formerly of Dundalk, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for raping a 19-year-old Spanish tourist on January 1, 2019. Following a trial last March, the jury found him guilty of one count of rape. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs imposed a seven-year sentence, with the final six months suspended. The court noted aggravating factors, including the victim's intoxication and the predatory nature of the offence, which left her with PTSD and depression. Although the hearing was initially adjourned to explore restorative justice, the Probation Service advised the court that such measures were not feasible due to O'Grady's conduct during an interview. O'Grady, who has 65 previous convictions and was homeless at the time of the offence, accepted the verdict and expressed remorse. He had been in custody since August 2024 after breaching bail conditions. The judge acknowledged his chaotic upbringing but emphasized the severe impact on the victim, who described feeling 'like a doll' during the incident. The suspended portion of the sentence is intended to encourage rehabilitation, with O'Grady agreeing to work with the Probation Service.
Christopher Ryan, 33, pleaded guilty to rape, sexual assault, assault causing harm and criminal damage at the Central Criminal Court. He was sentenced to 11½ years for rape, five years for sexual assault, four years for assault causing harm and two years for criminal damage, all concurrent. A 12‑month portion of the total term was suspended on the condition that he engage with the Probation Service. He was ordered to have no contact with Kerrie Keane for the duration of his imprisonment and the suspended period. Keane, who was raped and assaulted by Ryan in her Galway home on 11 November 2023, moved into emergency accommodation with her daughter after the attack. She gave a victim impact statement describing ongoing fear, anxiety, nightmares and depression, and expressed gratitude for police support. Ryan's previous conviction was for theft. The case was prosecuted by Marc Thompson BL and heard by Justice Mary Ellen Ring.
Matthew O'Connell, aged 75, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for 42 counts of rape committed between July 1979 and June 1987. The victim, who was 13 when the first assault occurred, described how O'Connell groomed her from age ten and raped her repeatedly, often twice a week, in various locations including his home, a mobile home and a vehicle. She kept the abuse secret for decades, only disclosing it to family in the 1990s and to Gardaí in 2021. O'Connell denied the charges and was remanded after conviction. The judge noted the serious impact on the victim, the breach of trust, and the age disparity, setting a headline sentence of 15 years but ultimately imposing a 12‑year term. The case highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and the victim's struggle to come forward.
The 24‑year‑old man was convicted of attempted oral rape, sexual assault and engaging in a sexual act with a child under 15 after a Central Criminal Court trial. He met the 14‑year‑old victim on social media, arranged a meeting in Dublin, and the next day engaged in sex at his apartment, where he also attempted to rape her orally. The judge sentenced him to six‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The man had no prior convictions. He pleaded no‑guilty, was not allowed to claim the most significant mitigating factor, and was found guilty. The judge noted the age disparity and the victim's intellectual difficulties as aggravating factors. The sentence was imposed at the trial, with no further outcome reported.
A 72‑year‑old man from Ardrahan, Pat Howley, was sentenced by the Galway Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended for three years. He pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault committed against a teenage girl aged 13‑14 between February and December 2006. The court noted a 40‑year age gap, the breach of trust, the nature of the conduct and the trauma inflicted. Howley's guilty plea, long working life, voluntary Civil Defence work and health issues were considered mitigating factors. He has no prior convictions and is deemed low risk of re‑offending. He will be supervised by the Probation Service for 12 months after release and must comply with all directions given by them. The sentence was imposed by Judge Brian O'Callaghan.
Michael Murray, 54, was convicted in 2021 of making death threats against two barristers and of harassing his rape victim by advertising her online as a prostitute. He had previously been sentenced to 19 years for rape in 2013, a sentence later increased to 19 years by the Court of Appeal. In July 2021, Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a nine‑year sentence for the threat to Dominic McGinn and a seven‑year sentence for the threat to Tony McGillicuddy, to be served consecutively, giving an effective 16‑year term for these offences. The judge also imposed four years for harassment of McGinn and the female defence solicitor and five years for possession of a mobile phone in prison. Murray's barrister, Barry White SC, argued that the totality principle was not applied and that the combined 35‑year sentence was wrong, while the Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel maintained that the consecutive sentences were appropriate and proportionate. Michael Murray pleaded not guilty.
Shane Flanagan, 39, a former Garda, was found guilty of impersonating a woman on FetLife.com and Facebook, sharing her personal details and encouraging two men to rape her between November and December 2020. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of endangering the woman and her daughters from 2018 to 2020, and to one count of possessing four images of child sexual abuse material. The court imposed a headline sentence of ten years for the incitement of rape, with a concurrent six‑year term for the endangerment charges and a three‑year term for the child pornography charge. Twelve months of the headline sentence were suspended, and the remaining nine years were to be served under strict conditions, including probation and psychiatric care. The judge noted the offences were calculated, cold, and motivated by Flanagan's sexual interests, and that no actual violence occurred.
John Merrick, 78, a former Christian Brother and headmaster, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of indecent assault on a 10‑year‑old boy at St Vincent's Primary School between September 1979 and June 1980. The victim came forward after reading a 2024 newspaper report about Merrick's earlier 12‑month sentence for two other indecent assault convictions between 1977 and 1978. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Merrick to nine months' imprisonment, with the final five months suspended. Merrick joined the Christian Brothers at 14, left in 1982, taught until 1986, and later worked as a tour guide. He has 21 prior convictions for similar offences. The court noted the breach of trust and age disparity as aggravating factors, while acknowledging his guilty plea and prior counselling as mitigating. The victim's impact statement highlighted lasting flashbacks and emotional distress. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the conduct and the court's consideration of both aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
A 45‑year‑old man was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for assaulting his former partner with a hoover pole in February 2022. The Central Criminal Court heard that the woman suffered extensive bruising, cuts to her face, neck, arm, hands, shoulder and legs, and carpet burns from being dragged across the floor. The defendant pleaded guilty to assault and the use of a hoover pole, and the judge noted his early guilty plea and expressions of remorse. He had previously served a four‑month sentence for an earlier assault. A separate rape charge was dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The court back‑dated the sentence to account for time already spent in custody. The woman did not give a victim impact statement. The judge emphasised the seriousness of the violence involved. The sentence was set at two years' imprisonment, reflecting the offence and the defendant's prior conviction. The case was heard by Mr Justice Patrick McGrath. The unnamed 45-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 49‑year‑old man was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment for raping a 12‑year‑old boy, who had been lured to the man's home by a third party who had also sexually abused him. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault committed between 1994 and 1995 at an address in County Dublin. He had five prior convictions, including for child pornography offences. The victim, whose name is withheld, described the emotional and psychological damage, noting he was terrified to speak, lost contact with family and friends, and later sought therapy and addiction treatment. The judge, Justice David Keane, noted the defendant's early guilty plea, cooperation and mitigating circumstances, and imposed a global sentence of seven and a half years, suspending the final 12 months for two years and ordering two years of post‑release supervision.
Marius Lacatus, 32, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman on her way to work early on 19 August 2024. He followed her, attacked her from behind, dragged her to a park, threatened her with death, and sexually assaulted her. Gardaí found him hiding under a bridge; he was intoxicated and initially could not be interviewed. He pleaded guilty to sexual assault and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. The court noted the sudden, violent nature of the attack and the victim's right to fear. The judge considered mitigating factors such as his guilty plea, remorse, and background, and imposed a sentence of five and a half years, citing intoxication as no excuse. The incident lasted about two minutes, and the victim received medical treatment. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A 63-year-old former Defence Forces member has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for five counts of sexual assault committed against a child in Cavan between September 2007 and June 2010. Mr Justice David Keane remarked that the defendant was "extremely fortunate" the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted guilty pleas to sexual assault, as the offences could have been prosecuted as rape, which carries a maximum life sentence. The judge noted significant aggravating factors including the substantial age disparity and severe impact on the victim. Evidence detailed a pattern of calculated abuse involving grooming and isolation. The victim, aged eleven to fourteen at the time, experienced lasting psychological harm, including damaged relationships and suicidal ideation. The defendant denied responsibility during interview and demonstrated no empathy during probation assessment. A two-year post-release supervision order was imposed. The sentence was backdated to October of the previous year.