Courts / Dublin / Report

Man jailed for sexual assault on former partner's child

Date
2021-06-28
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a single charge of sexual assault against a 14‑year‑old girl in 2017. The victim, who was ill and in bed, described how the accused entered her room, rubbed her head, pulled her blanket off, and exposed her breast. She later told her family and gave a statement to Gardaí. The judge, Elma Sheahan, noted the breach of trust and the disparity in ages, and suspended the final 15 months of a two‑year‑nine‑month term on strict conditions. The teenager, now 18, gave a victim impact statement detailing anxiety, shame, nightmares, and a loss of trust. The accused, who has four prior convictions for minor offences, has not accepted the verdict and intends to appeal. The case was prosecuted by Sinead McMullan BL. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man jailed for sexual assault on former partner's child. Charges or matters: sexual assault of the girl at the family home on September 20, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: " She described having panic attacks in school and being jealous of her other classmates "because they were normal". CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 14-year-old

Appellant

Charges: sexual assault of the girl at the family home on September 20, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Today the man was jailed for 18 months after he was convicted by a jury last April on one charge of sexual assault of the then 14-year-old girl. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced the man to two years and nine months in prison but suspended the final 15 months of that term on strict conditions.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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