Courts / Galway / Report

Co Galway ballet teacher jailed for child sexual abuse in Mayo

Summary

An appeal has been heard in the Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court regarding Leighton Morrison (49) of Woodfield, Galway Road, Tuam, Co Galway, who pleaded guilty to six sample charges from a total of 13 offences committed between January 2023 and June 2024. The charges include two separate counts of sexual assault against an eight-year-old girl and a nine-year-old girl, exploitation of a child, and possession and production of child pornography. Judge Eoin Garavan stated that Morrison remains a paedophile and a grave danger to children, regardless of the length of his incarceration. His sentence was backdated to July 2, 2024, and Morrison was ordered to undergo probation supervision for a year post-release, during which time he must get counselling and undertake a sexual offenders' programme. The court heard that Morrison is at high risk of recidivism and can never have unsupervised access to children again. The matter was adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Co Galway ballet teacher jailed for child sexual abuse in Mayo. Charges or matters: six sample charges from a total of 13 offences committed between January 2023 and June 2024. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• January 2023 Incident
• June 2024 Incident
• July 2, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-11-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report