Martin Burke jailed for sexual assault in Kerry

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Martin Burke was jailed for sexual assault at the Central Criminal Court, with Justice Paul McDermott imposing five-and-a-half years and suspending the final 12 months.

The proceedings were reported on 24 May 2023. Burke had pleaded not guilty to four sexual assault counts; a jury convicted him on three and acquitted him on one.

The suspension required three years’ engagement with the Probation Service after release, and Burke was ordered to avoid contact with the victims.

Defending, Colman Cody SC said Burke accepted the verdict, expressed shame and remorse, and had offended amid intoxication, alcohol and drug misuse and personal turmoil.

The judge said Burke maintained his version of events and that there was no real acceptance of the harm caused.