Courts / Ireland / Report
Child abuser jailed for oral rape and indecent assault on three-year-old cousin
Summary
Darren Dowling, 48, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court following a July 2024 trial in which he was found guilty of eight counts of oral rape and three counts of indecent assault. The offences, which occurred at a Clondalkin address between 1990 and 1993, were committed against his cousin, Alan Murphy, who was aged between three and six at the time. Dowling, who was a juvenile during the offending period, had previously served a nine-month sentence in Jersey for a separate offence involving an undercover officer. Justice Paul Burns imposed concurrent sentences of five years and three years, reducing headline sentences of 13 years and eight years respectively due to Dowling's age at the time of the crimes. The final 12 months of the five-year term were suspended on strict conditions, requiring Dowling to engage with Probation Supervision upon release. The court noted the severe impact on the victim, who suffered behavioural problems and substance abuse issues as a teenager. Although the sentencing was completed, the matter was adjourned for mention to allow for the hearing of a Supreme Court case regarding the naming of juvenile accused persons who reach adulthood. Consequently, the report could not be published until now. Dowling waived his anonymity, and the victim has also waived his anonymity to have Dowling named.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Child abuser jailed for oral rape and indecent assault on three-year-old cousin. Charges or matters: eight counts of oral rape and three counts of indecent assault that took place at a Clondalkin address between 1990 and 1993 against his cousin Alan Murphy following a Central Criminal Court trial in July 2024. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- July 2024 Incident
- July 12 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1990 and 1993 Incident
- 2025-07-18 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: eight counts of oral rape and three counts of indecent assault that took place at a Clondalkin address between 1990 and 1993 against his cousin Alan Murphy following a Central Criminal Court trial in July 2024 (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was sentenced to 9 months for this offence. He reduced the headline sentences to six and a half years and four years respectively, given that Dowling was a juvenile at the time of the offending Mr Justice Burns then imposed concurrent sentences of five years and three years before he suspended the final 12 months of the five-year term on strict conditions, including that Dowling engage with the Probation Supervision upon his release.; The case was adjourned for mention to allow for the hearing of a case in the Supreme Court in relation to the naming of juvenile accused persons when they reach adulthood, and therefore could not be reported until now.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Supreme Court
Topics
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