Courts / Dublin / Report

Childminder jailed for sexually abusing boy (7)

Summary

Martin Begley, aged 55, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of nine counts of sexual assault and 12 counts of invitation to sexual touching of a seven‑year‑old boy in two Dublin locations between December 2019 and April 2020. The verdicts followed a six‑day trial in June. Begley, who lived in Larkfield Grove, Kimmage, denied the convictions and intends to appeal. He had been employed by the boy's parents after they advertised on an Irish childminding website; he claimed garda vetting and supplied references, though he never showed evidence. Begley began minding the children in December 2019, moving to his own house during the March 2020 Covid lockdown. In April 2020 the boy's mother discovered a video of a boy being spanked with a belt, leading to immediate termination. The following month the boy's mother learned Begley had shown him how to engage in sexualised behaviour.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Childminder jailed for sexually abusing boy (7). Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• December 2019 Incident
• April 2020 Incident
• March 2020 Other
• 2022-10-07 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report