Noel Kelleher jailed for child rape in Central Criminal Court

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

Noel Kelleher was jailed for child rape at the Central Criminal Court on 26 February 2018, receiving nine years with the final 12 months suspended. He was convicted of six counts of rape, three sexual assaults, three oral rapes and attempted oral rape linked to abuse in Co Clare.

The judge said the offences had a deep and long-lasting impact on the victim, who was abused after Kelleher became a family friend of her parents. The jury acquitted him of 16 further counts involving rape, indecent assault and sexual assault.

Kelleher was also ordered never to contact the victim. The court heard he had not admitted guilt or expressed remorse, while his defence noted his lack of previous convictions.