Courts / Dublin / Report

Ex-RTE camera man sexually assaulted step-daughter

Summary

Tony Byrne, 66, of Carriglea Court, Firhouse, Dublin, was found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting his step‑daughter Donna McCarthy, then 16, on 10 May 1992 at the family home. The assault involved Byrne entering the bedroom, putting his arm around McCarthy, touching her knee and moving his hand up her leg to touch her vagina and breasts outside her clothing. McCarthy fled to a neighbour's house, cried and told her mother that "Dad got into bed with me". Byrne, a retired RTE and Virgin Media cameraman, was arrested by appointment and gave a voluntary interview to Gardaí, denying the complaint and suggesting it was revenge. He apologised to McCarthy the day after the incident and has complied with bail conditions. The case was adjourned to 14 June for sentencing. The court heard McCarthy waived anonymity, that Byrne had a role in her life, and that a DNA test proved he was not her father.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ex-RTE camera man sexually assaulted step-daughter. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• May 10, 1992 Adjournment
• June 14 Adjournment
• October 2019 Incident
• 2023-06-08 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report