Courts / Meath / Report

Man (21) guilty of attacking transgender escort

Date
2019-12-16

Stage
Finding

Primary locality
Ratoath

County
Meath

Summary

Ben O'Reilly, 21, was found guilty of assaulting Fernanda de Freitas after a dispute over payment for an escort service. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, concluded with a jury of ten women and two men convicting him of assault but acquitting him of robbery. O'Reilly had been charged with robbing de Freitas of cash and her iPhone. He was remanded on continuing bail until January 24 for sentencing. The case involved a series of messages on Grindr and WhatsApp, a meeting at de Freitas's apartment, and an alleged exchange over money. De Freitas testified that O'Reilly punched her multiple times, put his hands around her neck, and took her phone. She sustained cuts to her mouth and swollen eyes, requiring stitches. O'Reilly admitted to grabbing what he thought was his phone but later realised he had taken de Freitas's mobile. The trial ended with the assault conviction and the robbery charge dismissed. Ben O'Reilly pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man (21) guilty of attacking transgender escort. Charges or matters: assaulting Fernanda de Freitas causing her harm. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Convicted

When:

May 20, 2017 Adjournment
January 24 Adjournment
2019-12-16 Publication

Why: I thought he was doing this because of the money so I yelled at him that I would give back the money if he stopped," Ms de Freitas testified. CNI source report