Courts / Donegal / Report

Violent offender called attack victim 'a dirty rapist', court hears

Date
2026-02-04

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Ballyshannon

County
Donegal

Summary

Nathan Walsh and Lee Cunningham, both aged 29, have pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to charges arising from an assault on a man in Dublin City Centre on 23 May 2023. Walsh, of Ballyshannon Road, Beaumont, admitted theft and assault causing harm. Cunningham, of Park Lawn, Mount Prospect Avenue, Clontarf, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The victim, now 41, was attacked on Temple Lane South at 3am and robbed of his mobile phone and wallet. CCTV footage showed Walsh initiating the assault with punches and kicks to the head before searching the victim's pockets, while Cunningham's involvement occurred at the assault's conclusion. A third defendant, Brian Delahunty, was previously sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for his role in the same incident. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned sentencing of Walsh and Cunningham to 30 April to allow the Probation Service to prepare reports on both men.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Violent offender called attack victim 'a dirty rapist', court hears. Charges or matters: theft and assault causing harm to the man, while Lee Cunningham (29) of Park Lawn, Mount Prospect Avenue, Clontarf pleaded guilty to assault causing harm; assaulting the man causing him harm; the offences before the court on a trial date; assault causing harm. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 23, 2023 Incident
April 30 Adjournment
May 27, 2023 Adjournment
2026-02-04 Publication

Why: I will do it again because he is a dirty rapist," Walsh told gardaí. CNI source report

Case subjects

Brian Delahunty

Convicted Person

Charges: assaulting the man causing him harm; the offences before the court on a trial date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Brian Delahunty (35) of Hollytree Terrace, Ballymun, Dublin 11, was jailed for 18 months last February after he also pleaded guilty to assaulting the man causing him harm.; Judge Orla Crowe adjourned sentencing to April 30 next to allow for the preparation on a report from The Probation Service for both men.

Lee Cunningham

Convicted Person

Charges: assault causing harm; assaulting the man causing him harm; the offences before the court on a trial date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: A third man, Brian Delahunty (35) of Hollytree Terrace, Ballymun, Dublin 11, was jailed for 18 months last February after he also pleaded guilty to assaulting the man causing him harm.; Judge Orla Crowe adjourned sentencing to April 30 next to allow for the preparation on a report from The Probation Service for both men.

Nathan Walsh

Convicted Person

Charges: theft and assault causing harm to the man, while Lee Cunningham (29) of Park Lawn, Mount Prospect Avenue, Clontarf pleaded guilty to assault causing harm; assaulting the man causing him harm; the offences before the court on a trial date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty