Courts / Kildare / Report
Violent sex attacker has repeatedly failed to meet probation officer, court told
Summary
Sean Thackaberry, aged 24, was released from Midlands Prison in June 2017 after serving a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for aggravated sexual assault, with the final two‑and‑a‑half years suspended. He has failed to attend 12 scheduled meetings with his probation officer, Dermot Lavin, citing excuses such as holidaying in France, viewing rental properties, being in Dublin, and unverified appendicitis surgery. Thackaberry also moved to an unapproved address near the victim's family, breaching the Sex Offenders Act. The victim, Michelle Hennessy, 26, was assaulted on 30 January 2011 and later took her own life. Thackaberry was recently jailed for three months for an assault committed in custody and remains in custody pending a decision on whether to impose the suspended portion of his sentence. The court noted his non‑attendance as a significant issue and considered reactivating only part of the suspended term.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Violent sex attacker has repeatedly failed to meet probation officer, court told. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 30, 2011 Incident
- March 5 Adjournment
- 2018-01-22 Publication
Why: This home was deemed unsuitable by Probation Services as it was close to Ms Hennessy's family and also because Thackaberry's grandmother was deemed "ill-equipped to manage him", Mr Lavin said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: Thackaberry, with an address in Church View, Suncroft, Co Kildare, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in November 2013, with the final two-and-a-half years suspended. The court heard Thackaberry was recently jailed for three months for an assault he committed in custody while serving his sentence.; Mr Justice McCarthy remanded Thackaberry in continuing custody until March 5 to allow for a number of reports to compiled.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Midlands Prison
Topics
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