National court archive · 2026-03-27
'I did not understand' - 55-year-old jailed for sexual assault of little girl over 40 years ago
At a glance
- Crime
- sexual assault
- People
- John Shortt SC, Justice Patrick McGrath, Garda Saoirse Noonan, Lorcan Staines SC
- Locations
- Co. Offaly
- Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Outcome
- suspended the final nine months
Summary
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.
Original reporting: courtsnewsireland.ie