Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who groped 11-year-old in clothes shop avoids jail

Summary

Stephen Gregan, 38, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of an 11‑year‑old in a Penneys shop in Dundrum Town Centre on 10 June 2017. Garda Jennifer Quinn reported that the child was with friends when Gregan pushed up against her and squeezed her behind, an act the child described as deliberate. Gregan initially claimed it was accidental but later admitted intent. He has no prior convictions. His defence counsel, Ger Small, highlighted his remorse, depression, and ongoing counselling, and noted his placement on the sex offenders register. Judge Martin Nolan, recognising Gregan's mental health issues and the offence's lower end of the sexual assault scale, suspended a nine‑month prison term and ordered a €5,000 payment to the victim, stating that further offences would result in imprisonment. The court did not impose custodial custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who groped 11-year-old in clothes shop avoids jail. Charges or matters: sexual assault at Penneys, Dundrum Town Centre, on June 10, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 10, 2017 Incident
• 2019-10-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report