Court archive

Court reports mentioning Curragh Camp, Kildare

2025-11-04 · Kildare

Ex-army captain fails in bid to overturn dismissal for sex assault

Ross O'Shea, a former army captain, was found guilty by a General Court Martial in October 2022 of sexually assaulting a female non‑commissioned officer at a barracks social function on 25 June 2020. He was convicted of two charges – sexual assault and a Section 2 assault under the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 – and was dismissed from the Defence Forces. A custodial sentence of six months at the Curragh Camp was imposed but suspended for one year. O'Shea had pleaded guilty to five of 18 charges, was acquitted of seven, and four were withdrawn. In a Court of Appeal hearing on 4 November 2025, Mr Justice John Edwards upheld the dismissal, noting the conduct was "corrosive of discipline" and that the psychological impact on the victims was significant. The victims welcomed the decision. The appeal argued the offences were an aberration in an otherwise glittering career, but the court found the dismissal justified.

2025-02-21 · Kildare

Army Captain's sex assault an 'aberration' in otherwise 'glittering career', lawyers argue

In a Court of Appeal hearing, the lawyers for former Army Captain Ross O'Shea argued that his sexual assault of a female non‑commissioned officer was an aberration in a glittering 17‑year career and that his dismissal from the Defence Forces was a disproportionate punishment. O'Shea was convicted in October 2022 by a General Court Martial of sexually assaulting the officer at the Officer's Mess on 25 June 2020, moving his palms up and down her back and saying "come on, come on," and of assaulting her under Section 2 of the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. The court imposed a six‑month custodial sentence suspended for one year and ordered his dismissal. O'Shea's appeal was dismissed in October 2023. The prosecution highlighted the disparity in rank, the victim's inability to defend herself due to military training, and the appellant's use of his rank to intimidate other officers. Ross O'Shea pleaded guilty.