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Schizophrenic man is jailed for sexually assaulting student on bus
Summary
Paul Callaghan, aged 32, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 20‑year‑old student on Dublin Bus No. 75 between Dun Laoghaire and Nutgrove on 16 December 2016. The victim witnessed Callaghan masturbating and then, after sitting beside her, stroking her thigh. He shouted "Don't be scared" and later claimed to be "eight" when asked his age. Callaghan, who has 18 prior convictions including 14 public‑order offences, pleaded guilty. Judge Martin Nolan described the offence as a "shocking experience" and imposed a two‑year custodial sentence, suspending the final 20 months and ordering 12 months' post‑release probation. The court noted Callaghan's schizophrenia, his intoxication at the time of the offence, and his previous arrests under the Mental Health Act. The bus driver had called Gardaí, leading to Callaghan's arrest shortly after he disembarked. The prosecution and defence both highlighted his medication regime and family background.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Schizophrenic man is jailed for sexually assaulting student on bus. Charges or matters: sexual assault on the No. 75 Dublin Bus between Dun Laoghaire and Nutgrove on December 16, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 16, 2016 Incident
- 2018-03-15 Publication
Why: Gda Codd told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that Callaghan was unfit for interview for four hours after his arrest because he had been drinking alcohol. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: sexual assault on the No. 75 Dublin Bus between Dun Laoghaire and Nutgrove on December 16, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan described the offence as "a shocking experience" for the injured party and said Callaghan deserved a custodial sentence as a warning. The judge imposed a two-year sentence, suspended the final 20 months and ordered that Callaghan undergo 12 months' post-release probation service supervision.
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