Courts / Dublin / Report

Father sexually assaulted daughter's 13-year-old friend

Date
2025-04-07
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexually assaulting his daughter's 13-year-old friend. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury convicted the appellant last November after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault committed at his Dublin home on April 10, 2021. Although the man does not accept the victim's evidence, he has stated he will not appeal the conviction. Judge Dara Hayes described the conduct as a serious breach of trust with a considerable impact on the teenager. The judge set a headline sentence of four years, reduced it to three years and three months, and suspended the final 15 months on strict conditions, including engaging with the Probation Service for two years upon release. The sentence was backdated to when the man was first remanded in custody last November. He was registered as a sex offender. The court heard the victim reported the incident to gardaí the same day, alleging the man touched her buttocks, hips, waist, and chest while asking if she had a crush on him. The man claimed he only spoke to her about her clothing. A victim impact statement detailed the teenager's ongoing trauma, including paranoia and trust issues. The Probation Service assessed the man as low risk and willing to work with the service.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Father sexually assaulted daughter's 13-year-old friend. Charges or matters: a charge of sexual assault at his Dublin home on April 10, 2021. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 13-year-old

Appellant

Charges: a charge of sexual assault at his Dublin home on April 10, 2021 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; By Sonya McLean A man who sexually assaulted his daughter's 13-year-old friend after asking the child to come into his apartment has been jailed for two years.; He was registered as a sex offender and remanded in custody following his conviction last November.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Incident
Garda Station
  • mother came to the garda station

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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