Court archive
Court reports mentioning Borrisokane, Tipperary
2026-06-15 · Tipperary
Martin Ward (64) was jailed for 12.5 years for repeatedly raping and sexually abusing his partner's niece when she was at her most vulnerable. Ward was found guilty of 27 counts of sexual abuse, including three counts of rape, nine counts of oral rape, and 15 counts of sexual assault. The abuse occurred between 2000 and 2004 when the girl was sent to live with Ward and his partner. The victim, Martina Ward, waived her anonymity and described the abuse as having stolen her childhood. She stated that Ward manipulated her and caused her profound trauma, including PTSD and ongoing mental health issues. Ms Justice Melanie Greally noted the breach of trust and the severity of the abuse. The judge set a headline sentence of 16 years but reduced it to 12.5 years considering mitigating factors such as Ward's lack of related convictions and his community work. Ward has eight previous convictions for road traffic offences and made no admissions during the trial.
2022-03-15 · Dublin
Michael McGuinness, 61, a former army driver who served 21 years, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for indecent assault on three boys aged seven to thirteen between 1979 and 1990. The offences, committed while he was a trusted local figure, involved sexual abuse in his car and home, including forcing the boys to masturbate. McGuinness pleaded guilty to five counts; four carried a maximum of two years each, and a final count carried a maximum of ten years. Judge Melanie Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling three years, suspended the final twelve months, and back‑dated the sentence to his first custodial period in November. McGuinness admitted the abuse to Gardaí in 2019, described it as a "dark dirty secret", and expressed remorse. He has no prior convictions and has engaged in therapeutic interventions. The court noted the lasting impact on the victims and the low risk of re‑offending.
2021-11-30 · Dublin
Michael McGuinness, a 61‑year‑old former army driver, was found guilty of indecent assault on three boys aged seven to thirteen between 1979 and 1990. The victims, who waived anonymity, described how McGuinness used his trusted military reputation to lure them, often disguising himself as a friend and forcing them to masturbate him in his car or home. The abuse was revealed when one victim reported McGuinness to Gardaí after meeting him through work. McGuinness pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault, admitted his actions as a "dark dirty secret," and expressed remorse. He had no prior convictions. The court noted the repeated nature of the offences and the lasting impact on the victims, ordering reports and remand pending sentencing on March 15 next year. The maximum sentence for each count is two years, except the final count, which carries a maximum of ten years.