Court archive
2026-03-19 · Dublin
The Court of Appeal dismissed Randi Gladstone's challenge to his convictions for rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment. The court rejected arguments about withdrawn good-character evidence and the trial judge's directions, finding no unfairness or lack of balance. Randi Gladstone pleaded not guilty.
2026-03-18 · Dublin
An unnamed 36-year-old man has been jailed after pleading guilty to defilement, sexual exploitation and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child involving a vulnerable 16-year-old girl in Dublin in 2021. The Central Criminal Court heard that he offered money and drugs as inducements and had groomed the girl. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, suspending the final six months, and the man is now on the sex offenders' register.
2026-03-18 · Dublin
Former school principal Patrick Harte was jailed for a further four years after conviction on 17 counts of indecent or sexual assault against boys. Judge Martina Baxter said the offences were repetitive, involved a breach of trust and showed no remorse or prospect of rehabilitation; all sentences were concurrent and none was suspended. Patrick Harte pleaded not guilty.
2026-03-13 · Dublin
The Court of Appeal has adjourned the appeal proceedings of Boy A, one of two boys convicted of the 2018 murder of Ana Kriegel, to July 10 for mention. Boy A, who was 13 at the time of the crime, was sentenced in 2019 to life imprisonment with a review after 12 years for the murder, alongside a concurrent 12-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault. His legal team, represented by Niall Nolan BL, requested additional time to assemble necessary records, describing the upcoming hearing as requiring "document-heavy analysis." Counsel stated that custody progress records were "crucial" to the appeal, noting limited responses to requests for hard data and reports previously directed by the trial judge. The appeal follows a March 2025 Supreme Court ruling by Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley, which established that life sentences for child murder convictions should only be imposed in exceptional cases where the child's actions were akin to those of an adult. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy granted the request for more time and approved the appointment of documentary junior counsel. She adjourned the matter to July 10, indicating an expectation that a hearing date will be fixed at that point. The case involves the conviction of Boy A and Boy B, who lured the teenager to an abandoned house in Lucan, where she was assaulted and killed.
2026-03-12 · Dublin
The Court of Appeal has rejected Stephen 'Rossi' Walsh's application for a certificate of miscarriage of justice. Walsh, a convicted child rapist with former addresses at Belgrave Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6, and Coologmartin, Donadea, Co Kildare, argued that the State acted unlawfully by bringing him back to court in November 2024 to seek additional post-release supervision conditions. He had previously been sentenced to ten years in jail in February 2010 for raping a nine-year-old girl, and later received a consecutive 12-year sentence in December 2011 for sexual assault and defilement, with the final two years suspended. In the 2024 proceedings, Mr Justice Paul Burns refused the State's application to vary conditions under the Sex Offenders Act, 2001, ruling the statute did not permit the request. Walsh subsequently claimed this constituted a miscarriage of justice under section 9 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1993. However, the three-judge panel, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, found that the State's unsuccessful application was a legitimate procedural step, not a second sentencing. The court emphasized that inconvenience does not equate to a miscarriage of justice, which requires inappropriate deprivation of liberty. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and Walsh's convictions remain extant.
2026-03-10 · Limerick
Denis O'Donovan, a 39-year-old from Ballyryan, Donohill, Co Tipperary, is appealing his conviction at the Court of Appeal. O'Donovan, who pleaded not guilty to five offences, was convicted of false imprisonment, assault causing harm, and two counts of sexual assault, while the jury failed to reach a verdict on one alleged sexual assault. In June 2024, Judge Dermot Sheehan at Limerick Circuit Court sentenced him to seven years in prison, with six months suspended. The appeal, launched by barrister Timothy O'Leary SC, argues that the trial judge erred in admitting the entirety of a 40-minute 999 emergency call made by the victim. Defence counsel contended the full recording was unnecessary, irrelevant, and prejudicial, asserting that the victim's direct testimony was sufficient. Additionally, O'Leary argued the judge failed to adequately instruct the jury regarding the absence of forensic analysis on samples taken from the vehicle. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Lily Buckley BL, countered that the call was probative and relevant, noting the victim's state of panic and the tactical decision by the defence to object to the full recording. The prosecution also maintained that the judge's directions to the jury to rely solely on the evidence before them were appropriate. Mr Justice John Edwards reserved judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and the court will deliver its decision at a later date.
2026-03-10 · Dublin
A 43-year-old man who pleaded guilty to anal rape of his wife at their family home in Co Waterford was sentenced to seven years, with the final year suspended for three years. The Central Criminal Court heard that he admitted guilt during trial after previously claiming the incident was consensual.
2026-03-10 · Ireland
A Central Criminal Court trial involving seven men accused of sexually abusing a deaf family member heard transcripts of garda interviews, including denials by a 34-year-old brother and statements made by a 55-year-old uncle. The men deny wrongdoing and the trial continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs.
2026-03-10 · Dublin
Gerard O'Brien, a former Circuit Court judge, has appealed his conviction for attempted rape and the sexual abuse of six young men. O'Brien, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was convicted in December 2023 at the Central Criminal Court of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault. The offences, alleged to have occurred between 1991 and 1997 when he was a teacher, resulted in a four-year jail sentence imposed in June 2024 by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, who described O'Brien as "unsuitable to hold office." In his appeal, O'Brien's counsel argued that the trial judge's instructions to the jury were "confusing" and "weighted against the defence," suggesting the charge conveyed personal views and pressured the jury. The State's legal team countered that these suggestions were "misconceived" and urged the Court of Appeal to uphold the conviction. The three-judge court, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, has reserved judgment on the appeal.
2026-03-10 · Dublin
A 55-year-old Dublin man was sentenced to four years in prison after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury found him guilty of two sexual offences committed 25 years apart. The defendant, who maintains his innocence, was convicted of indecently assaulting his younger cousin at a Dublin address between February 1987 and February 1990, and sexually assaulting his 16-year-old daughter during a holiday in Florida in June 2014. Judge Jonathan Dunphy noted the striking similarities between the incidents, including the victims' vulnerability and the defendant's intimidating behavior. For the first offence, the judge set a headline sentence of four years, reduced to two years because the defendant was under 18 for part of the period. He suspended the final nine months on conditions, including sexual offence-focused work. For the second offence, the headline sentence of five years was reduced to four years, with the final 15 months suspended on similar conditions. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, resulting in an effective custody term of four years. The court also imposed a condition prohibiting any contact with either victim. The judge praised the complainants for their courage, while the defendant's counsel noted his lack of remorse and previous employment history.
2026-03-06 · Ireland
The Central Criminal Court heard that a teenager sexually abused and raped by his cousin had suffered a life-altering impact. The cousin pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual assault and one count of anal rape, receiving three years with the final year suspended and three years on the sex offenders register.
2026-03-02 · Monaghan
Sean Monaghan was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to eight counts of indecent assault against his younger sister in their family home in 1962 and 1963.
2026-03-02 · Cork
Akbar Moqadar was convicted of orally raping a vulnerable woman in a swimming-pool steam room. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath imposed seven years with the final 12 months suspended and placed him under post-release probation supervision.
2026-02-27 · Dublin
Jibola Moses Akanni has been refused bail by the Court of Appeal while he awaits a conviction appeal. He was convicted of two rapes and sexual assault involving a 17-year-old at a Dublin city-centre apartment and is serving an eight-and-a-half-year sentence; the court said his appeal issues were wide-ranging rather than clear-cut.
2026-02-27 · Dublin
At a murder trial, Tomas Cypas denied murdering Juris Kokenbergs in Lucan. The jury heard evidence about DNA staining found on Cypas's footwear and heard his account of the confrontation; the trial was due to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Tomas Cypas pleaded not guilty.
2026-02-27 · Limerick
A former scout leader is appealing five convictions for offences against three young cousins, including rape and sexual assault. His defence argues that an anonymous letter said to be from a juror, a complainant's reference to rape and the prosecution closing speech made the convictions unsafe. Ms Justice Nuala Butler said the court would reserve judgment; the man continues to deny the offences. The unnamed 63-year-old pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
2026-02-25 · Ireland
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of familial abuse has heard that the primary complainant, who is deaf, first made allegations after attending a health promotion course in 2017. The accused, aged between 32 and 55, face a combined total of 103 charges, with 98 counts pertaining to the main complainant. They are her four younger brothers and three uncles, all of whom deny wrongdoing. One man is further accused of abusing two of his younger sisters. An organiser of the course testified that the complainant asked to speak to him to report being harmed by several people. In cross-examination, he agreed she did not make allegations regarding three specific accused: her 55-year-old uncle (Accused A), her 45-year-old uncle (Accused G), and her 32-year-old brother (Accused F). Accused A is accused of one count of rape; Accused G of one count of rape; and Accused F of three counts of anal rape and two counts of rape. Accused B (48) is accused of eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape. Accused C (34) faces 45 counts of rape and anal rape against the main complainant, plus one count of sexual assault and three counts of rape and anal rape against a second sister. Accused D (33) pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of rape and three counts of anal rape. Accused E (32) denied nine counts of anal rape and seven counts of rape. The trial continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs.
2026-02-24 · Sligo
A man convicted of raping and sexually assaulting his younger sister over seven years has appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal in Dublin. Kyle Jinks, aged 32, of Slievemore, Ballytivnan, County Sligo, was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court of twenty-one counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault between 2008 and 2014. He received a twelve-year sentence in February 2025. The appeal centres on whether the trial judge correctly instructed the jury that the defendant's silence when confronted by his mother about the allegations could amount to corroboration of the victim's account. The defence argues that silence alone cannot constitute corroboration without additional conduct. The Director of Public Prosecutions contended that the context made the defendant's lack of response meaningful. The three-judge court reserved judgment pending a later date.
2026-02-23 · Dublin
A 63-year-old Dublin man who was seen as the 'cool older cousin' by six children he groomed and sexually assaulted has been jailed for seven years. The man pleaded guilty to 10 sample counts of indecent and sexual assaults, which occurred between 1983 and 1990, and again in 2000. The abuse took place at his family homes in Dublin and Cork. The victims, who were his cousins and a cousin of a cousin, described the abuse as 'shameless exploitation.' Judge Orla Crowe noted the predatory nature of the offences and the breach of trust. One of the victims, who was aged nine to 11 when the abuse occurred, described being frozen in fear and feeling guilty for years. The court heard that the defendant had previously received a suspended sentence in 2005 for sexual assault. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of nine years but reduced it to seven years, taking into account the defendant's remorse and health issues. The victims' impact statements highlighted the lasting trauma and the breakdown of family relationships.
2026-02-23 · Dublin
A 36-year-old man who raped his former partner in a hotel room and threatened to gouge her eyeball out with a spoon has been jailed for nine years. The Central Criminal Court heard that the victim was left fearing for her life. The man was convicted of sexual assault, rape, and threats to kill the woman at a Dublin hotel. He has over 70 previous convictions, but no prior sexual offence convictions. Mr Justice Paul Burns noted the intimate relationship between the pair was an aggravating factor and described the rape as 'appalling'. He imposed a headline sentence of 11 years, but suspended the final year for three years on condition the man remains under probation and undertakes recommended courses. The victim described how the crimes changed her life and left her in fear for her life. The man denied all offending at interview and initially claimed they had not had sex in the hotel. In her victim impact statement, the woman said she had washed her skin with bleach and was terrified to socialise.
2026-02-23 · Dublin
A repeat sex offender, Randi Gladstone, has argued that his trial was unfair after he was forced to withdraw his claims of good character, which led to the jury being informed of his previous convictions for serious offences. Gladstone was convicted in January last year of rape, sexual assault, and false imprisonment in a holiday complex in Co Dublin. He had previously been deported from the UK and had 19 prior convictions, including rape and kidnapping. Gladstone's legal team argued that the trial judge's clarification on false imprisonment and the introduction of his previous convictions unfairly prejudiced his case. The court heard that Gladstone lured an 18-year-old woman into his room, where he raped and falsely imprisoned her. The appeal will be heard by a three-judge court, with a decision expected on March 10. Randi Gladstone pleaded not guilty.
2026-02-20 · Ireland
A woman who alleges she was sexually abused by seven of her family members has completed giving evidence after over three months in the witness box. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs expressed gratitude to the woman for her three and a half months of answering questions. The woman began giving evidence via video link in October and provided her testimony to prosecution counsel before being cross-examined by seven defence counsel representing the accused men. Roisin Lacey SC, prosecuting, informed the woman that the prosecution would not be re-examining her. The trial, which began four and a half months ago, is now entering a new phase with further four weeks of evidence expected. Seven men, aged between 32 and 55, are on trial for 103 charges, with 98 counts related to the main complainant. They are her four younger brothers and three uncles, accused of sexually abusing her over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013. The woman gave evidence via video-link with the assistance of interpreters and an intermediary. Charts and symbols were used to help her communicate. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
2026-02-20 · Monaghan
A 72-year-old man from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, has had his eight-year prison sentence reduced to six and a half years following a successful appeal at the Court of Appeal. The man pleaded guilty to fifteen counts of indecent assault against three of his siblings, commencing in the 1970s and 1980s when the victims were aged between nine and fourteen. The original sentencing judge imposed consecutive sentences to reflect the serious and persistent nature of the offending. However, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy found an error in principle, stating it was not apparent the totality principle had been properly applied. The court quashed the original sentence and resentenced accordingly. The three victims waived their right to anonymity in impact statements describing their upbringing as a "house of horrors.
2026-02-20 · Sligo
A 70-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the systematic sexual abuse of five of his children over two decades at various addresses in County Sligo. Noel Farrell of Rathedmond Estate, Sligo, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and 19 counts of indecent assault and sexual assault. The abuse included rape, sexual assault, and inappropriate touching of victims aged between two and seventeen. Evidence revealed that Farrell locked children in rooms for extended periods without food and forced them to drink urine. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described the case as "truly shocking" and noted the absence of mitigating factors beyond the guilty plea. He imposed a headline sentence of 30 years, reduced to 20 years. Four of the five victims waived anonymity to allow Farrell's identification. The judge commended the complainants for their fortitude in confronting their experiences. Farrell has been in custody since his guilty plea in November.
2026-02-19 · Dublin
A man has been given a suspended sentence after an automatic monitoring system alerted Google to the presence of 15 files of child abuse material in his cloud storage. Austin Odibei pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material in April 2019. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to 18 months, suspended for three years. The investigating garda outlined that Google notified the relevant authority in America in March 2019 about the suspected presence of CSAM on an individual's Google account. Gardai were notified and a Google account and mobile number were linked to the defendant. His home was searched in April 2019, and several devices, including a phone and a camera, were seized. Garda analysis of the devices recovered 13 files of CSAM, including eleven videos and two images, which were found on the memory card in the camera. Two further videos were found on the phone. The court heard that the victims were not identifiable.
2026-02-19 · Dublin
Serial offender Ronaldo Otto, who goes by the name Samantha, has been jailed for five years after sexually assaulting a vulnerable autistic man. Otto, originally from the Philippines, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old autistic man on February 1, 2023, in a laneway in Dublin. The victim, who uses a disability card for the bus, was followed by Otto, who sat beside him and asked for his phone number. Otto then groped the victim and forced him down a laneway, where he performed oral sex on him. The victim reported the incident to his parents and attended the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. CCTV footage and DNA evidence linked Otto to the crime. Otto had previously been given a suspended sentence for throwing boiling water on a man in 2019, but it was reactivated after he was convicted of another sexual assault in 2022. Judge Orla Crowe noted the victim was vulnerable due to his disability and described Otto's actions as predatory and intimidating.
2026-02-18 · Dublin
A 25-year-old Dublin man was sentenced to six years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended, for assaulting his pregnant partner and making threats against his ex-girlfriend. The man pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assault causing harm and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. During the incident in August 2024, he punched, dragged, and kicked his pregnant partner in the stomach, knowing she was pregnant. He had previously been on bail for threatening to petrol bomb his ex-girlfriend's home. The court heard that he had a history of violent behavior, including breaches of protection orders and criminal damage. The victim, who was three months pregnant at the time of the assault, declined an ambulance and did not want to leave her children. The man was arrested after a five-day drugs bender and had a history of addiction. His defense highlighted his mental health issues and history of child sexual abuse, but the court emphasized the seriousness of the assault on a pregnant woman.
2026-02-17 · Dublin
Stephen Markham, a sexual assault survivor, has spoken out about the importance of being vocal if someone experiences a similar incident. He was sexually assaulted by Cezar Toader, an on-bail offender, who followed him home after they met in Dublin City Centre in 2020. Toader, who is part of the Roma community, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final six months suspended. Markham waived his anonymity and shared his victim impact statement, detailing the emotional and psychological toll the assault had on him, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from the community and gardai, and encouraged others to speak out if they are victims of similar crimes. The court heard that Toader had a history of previous convictions and was on bail at the time of the assault. Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged the courage of Markham in coming forward and noted the impact of the crime on the victim. Cezar Toader pleaded guilty.
2026-02-17 · Meath
A rapist who argued that his victim "might have turned something that wasn't a rape into a rape" after her parents discovered emergency contraception pills has failed in his appeal. Matthew Fadeyi, 36, was convicted of raping a young woman in 2018 and received a six-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final year suspended. His legal team argued that the failure to interview the victim's parents prejudiced his trial, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating there was no evidence of prejudice. Fadeyi's counsel suggested the victim may have fabricated the rape allegation after her parents found the pills, but the court rejected this argument, noting it was inconsistent with the defence case at trial. The appeal was also dismissed because the defence had previously argued the victim had invented the allegation to protect her relationship. The court upheld Fadeyi's conviction, emphasizing that the evidence supported the prosecution's case and that the appeal arguments were not credible.
2026-02-16 · Donegal
Richard Walsh, 32, of Lisminton, Ballintra, Co Donegal, was sentenced to seven years in prison at the Central Criminal Court for the sexual assault of a woman in her 20s. Walsh pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred on December 13, 2020, at his home in Ballintra. Justice Tony Hunt described the incident as a serious sexual assault, noting that Walsh's guilty plea was compelled by independent corroboration rather than remorse. The judge reduced a headline sentence of eight years to seven to account for the plea. Walsh was ordered to serve the full term, followed by three years of supervision, including notifying the Probation Service of his contact details and engaging in offence-focused work. The court noted that Walsh was on bail for an unrelated defilement charge at the time of the assault. He had previously pleaded guilty to defilement of a child under 17 and received a custodial sentence of one year and eight months in January 2023. Justice Hunt stated that Walsh's previous conviction complicated sentencing and that his apology carried little weight. The victim, who wished to retain anonymity, stated that the assault ruined her life and caused serious depression. The judge commended her strength and noted that Walsh's misconduct rightly resulted in community shunning.
2026-02-16 · Dublin
Patrick Harte, 84, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing following his conviction on 17 counts of indecent or sexual assault against eight boys between 1969 and 1986. Harte, a former teacher and principal at Sancta Maria Christian Brothers school on Synge Street, pleaded not guilty to all charges and continues to deny any offending. This fourth set of prosecutions brings his total convictions for sexual or indecent assaults to 89, involving 32 victims. During the hearing, Judge Martina Baxter heard victim impact statements detailing long-term mental health effects, including alcohol addiction and trust issues. One victim stated that "nobody cared, nobody has ever apologised." Defense counsel John Griffin BL stated Harte does not accept the jury verdicts and instructed that no plea of mitigation would be entered. Harte addressed the court, attempting to raise issues regarding evidence from a different trial, which the Judge dismissed as irrelevant to this hearing. The court noted Harte's previous sentences, including a three-year term in 2020 and a four-year term in December 2024. Judge Baxter adjourned the finalisation of sentencing to March 18 next.
2026-02-16 · Donegal
A 25-year-old man from Donegal has been sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to the defilement of a teenager. The man, who cannot be identified to protect the victim's privacy, was originally charged with rape but pleaded guilty to defilement on the basis that he may have been unaware or reckless as to consent. The offence occurred in May 2021 when the victim was sixteen years old and the defendant was twenty-one. The court heard the man, who was an acquaintance of the girl's family, initiated contact with her via social media before arranging to meet her. He subsequently drove her to a secluded location where the incident took place. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a two-year-and-six-month sentence, suspending the final twelve months on strict conditions. He noted the significant age difference and breach of trust involved. The man was directed to comply with Probation Services supervision and maintain no contact with the injured party upon release.
2026-02-16 · Donegal
A man from Killygordon in Donegal has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, following his conviction at the Central Criminal Court for a series of sexual offences. Eunan Merritt, aged 56, was found guilty by jury after an 11-day trial of eight counts of rape, four counts of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault committed between June 1999 and September 2003. The offences were perpetrated against a woman who waived her anonymity, detailing in her victim impact statement how the abuse had fundamentally altered her life trajectory and ongoing mental health. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo noted that Merritt had exploited his victim's vulnerability over an extended period and rejected limited cooperation with gardaí as mitigation. The judge observed that the defendant presented contrasting versions of himself to his victims and the public. Merritt maintains he does not accept the jury's verdicts.
2026-02-16 · Westmeath
Christopher Fitzsimons, 40, of Athlone, Co Westmeath, was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Central Criminal Court for rape and sexual assault. A jury convicted him last July of all 22 counts, including 18 counts of raping Claire Berry, aged 15 to 16, between 2010 and 2011; one count of raping Tara Berry, aged 16, in 2006; and two counts of sexually assaulting Tara Berry, aged 12. He was also found guilty of one count of sexually assaulting Chloe Berry, aged 14, in 2001. The abuse occurred over a 10-year period while Fitzsimons was in a relationship with the victims' older sister. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon described the conduct as an "egregious abuse of trust" and a "wolf in sheep's clothing." She set a headline sentence of 14 years, reduced to 13 years, citing his lack of previous convictions and work history as a butcher in mitigation. Fitzsimons has been in custody since the verdict. The victims, who waived anonymity, submitted impact statements detailing long-term trauma and his lack of remorse. Prosecutors requested consecutive sentences for the separate complainants, while the defense highlighted his good character.
2026-02-13 · Ireland
A woman who alleges she was sexually abused by seven family members has testified in court that her younger brother 'learned to rape' her when he was 13. The woman, who is deaf, is giving evidence via video-link and with the assistance of interpreters and an intermediary. She is one of several complainants in a trial involving seven men, including her four younger brothers and three uncles, who are accused of sexually abusing her over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013. The accused have denied all allegations. The woman's testimony included details of her brother's alleged actions and her assertion that she was telling the truth. The trial is ongoing before Ms Justice Biggs and an extended jury panel.
2026-02-13 · Dublin
An offender with a high risk of recidivism who was caught with and distributed videos of child sexual abuse has been jailed for three years and six months, with the final nine months suspended. Murilo Dos Santos (36) of North Circular Road, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty last year at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of images of child sexual abuse, known in law as child pornography, and to distribution of the material between November 18, 2020, and January 2021. Detective Garda Donagh Mannix told the court that a search of Dos Santos' home in Christchurch, Dublin, uncovered 66 videos on his phone, which were in contravention of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. Dos Santos shared these videos with six others between October 2020 and November 2020, including one particularly graphic video involving a child aged between six and 12 months. Other videos involved children aged between eight and 12 years old, some engaged in sexual activity with adults. Gardaí also found that Dos Santos used a sharing app to distribute the material.
2026-02-13 · Ireland
Patrick Honan, 70, has failed in his bid to overturn his conviction for the rape and sexual abuse of his daughter, Noreen Honan. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against the conviction, which was secured following a Central Criminal Court trial in February 2024 where he was found guilty of 48 sample counts, including 25 of rape and 23 of indecent assault. The abuse, which took place in Co Clare between 1977 and 1989, occurred when the victim was aged between three and a half and 16. In March 2025, the Court of Appeal quashed his original sentence of 13 years, with the final 18 months suspended, and imposed a jail term of 19 years following an undue leniency application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. During today's appeal, defence counsel argued that the trial judge erred in allowing evidence of alleged admissions by Honan, as the three witnesses to those admissions were not called to testify, thereby breaching his fair trial rights. The State argued the evidence was admissible and relevant. Mr Justice John Edwards ruled that the court was satisfied the evidence was admissible and that the defence had options to summon witnesses for cross-examination. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, leaving the 19-year sentence intact.
2026-02-12 · Dublin
A 63-year-old Dublin man who pleaded guilty to multiple sexual assaults on six children over a seven-year period will be sentenced later this month. The victims, including five of his first cousins and a cousin of a cousin, described the defendant as a 'cool older cousin' who groomed them. One victim recounted being sexually assaulted in her bedroom and later again as an adult. The court heard that the abuse caused significant pain and family splits. The defendant has previous convictions for sexual assault and was given a suspended sentence in 2005. His legal team asked for leniency, citing his role in caring for elderly parents and his good work history as an engineer. The judge remanded him into custody for sentencing.
2026-02-11 · Ireland
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the appeal by John McDonagh, who was convicted in 2001 of the rape and murder of Siobhan Hynes and sentenced to life imprisonment. McDonagh, formerly of The Demesne, Keeraunbeg, Carraroe, pleaded not guilty but was convicted following three days of jury deliberations. He is now seeking to utilize advances in DNA technology to re-examine trial exhibits, arguing that modern methods could yield new results. The State argues that scientific advancements alone do not justify re-testing, noting that McDonagh did not seek such testing in his 2007 appeal. Counsel for the State, Paul Carroll SC, stated that the conviction was based on numerous strands of evidence, including fibre analysis, rather than solely on DNA. The defence, represented by Michael O'Higgins SC, contends that a reasonable possibility exists for obtaining a new result from retesting. The court heard evidence from forensic experts regarding the limitations of 1999 technology versus current methods. Ms Justice Nuala Butler and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy discussed the relevance of potential new DNA findings. The matter was adjourned for the court to deliver its reserved judgment.
2026-02-10 · Ireland
The Court of Criminal Appeal has adjourned the hearing of John McDonagh's appeal against his 2001 conviction for the rape and murder of Siobhan Hynes. McDonagh, formerly of The Demesne, Keeraunbeg, Carraroe, pleaded not guilty at trial but was convicted following three days of jury deliberations and sentenced to life imprisonment. He now argues that his conviction is unsafe due to advances in forensic technology. The three-judge court paused proceedings after two days of submissions to hear further expert evidence. Forensic experts testified that DNA analysis was in its infancy in 1998, with modern methods offering greater sensitivity for detecting seminal fluid and touch DNA, particularly in samples immersed in water. However, State experts maintained that the original fibre evidence, which linked McDonagh's clothing and car to the victim, was robust and that further testing would likely strengthen rather than weaken the prosecution's case. The court will continue to examine whether novel forensic applications could demonstrate a miscarriage of justice.
2026-02-10 · Ireland
A woman who is deaf and alleges that seven family members sexually abused her over a 17-year period has left a cross-examination in anger after one of her brothers denied the allegations. The woman, who is giving evidence via videolink and with the help of interpreters, said she was angry when her brother claimed he never had sex with her. The trial involves seven men, including her four younger brothers and three uncles, who are accused of 103 charges of sexual abuse. The woman has faced challenges in communicating timelines and has used charts and symbols to assist her. The court has heard that one of the accused, Accused E, was living with other family members during part of the alleged abuse period. The trial continues before Ms Justice Biggs and an extended jury panel of 14 jurors. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
2026-02-09 · Wexford
A man who sexually assaulted his sleeping partner has been jailed for two and a half years. The 33-year-old was convicted of one count of sexual assault at their Co Wexford home on October 8, 2022. He was acquitted of one count of rape and the jury disagreed on two further counts of sexual assault. An investigating garda told the court that the couple were living together when the offence occurred. The man came home late one night and digitally penetrated the woman after she said no to sex. She pushed him away and left the house. She sent a text to the accused saying he did not have a right to touch her after she had said no. The man replied with an apology, but during the trial, he denied the sexual assault, claiming the allegations were fabrications. In her victim impact statement, the woman outlined the serious and ongoing effects the offence has had on her life, including mental struggles, feeling damaged, and suffering nightmares.
2026-02-09 · Kildare
A convicted sex offender who was on bail when he attacked and raped his then partner in a Kildare woods, telling her he had dug her grave, has been further jailed for 10 years. Dylan McMahon (31) was convicted of rape, aggravated sexual assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. During the attack, McMahon pushed dog faeces, sticks, and leaves in her mouth, making her unable to breathe, and led her through the woods, telling her he had dug her grave. He denied the charges but pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. McMahon has 36 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence of six years with the final year suspended for theft and assault causing harm to a sex worker. He is also serving a consecutive two-year and nine-month sentence for offences including robbery. The court heard that McMahon sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2015 and does not accept the verdict of the jury.
2026-02-09 · Mayo
A 61-year-old man from Ballina in County Mayo has been sentenced to 11 and a half years imprisonment for sexually abusing five girls over nearly two decades. David Langdon pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Court to seven sample counts of sexual assault on children aged between five and 12 years during the period from April 1996 to July 2015. The offences came to the attention of gardaí in 2019 when the youngest victim, then still a minor, made a disclosure. Judge Sinéad McMullan noted the abuse frequently occurred during sleepovers when the children should have felt secure. The judge cited victim impact evidence describing severe ongoing trauma, including fear of darkness, sleep disturbance, and self-harm. She characterised the offences as representing a serious breach of trust. The headline sentence of 16 years was reduced to 12 and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended, and backdated to October 2024.
2026-02-09 · Ireland
A school bus driver who was terminated after complaints about inappropriate talk at work and alleged breaches of child safeguarding procedures has failed in a claim for anti-trans discrimination. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) upheld the decision of a large bus and coach company to end its contract with the driver, dismissing a complaint of discrimination in breach of the Employment Equality Act 1998 on gender grounds. The tribunal heard that the driver, who was born male and had begun transitioning to a female identity before taking up the job, ceased gender-affirming treatments and started de-transitioning in the summer of 2024. He preferred to be addressed with male pronouns. The driver claimed that a special needs assistant questioned him about personal details, and he suspected the conversations were recorded. He was later informed of complaints about inappropriate language but was not given details until after he requested them. The company's legal submissions stated that the complaints involved explicit details of sexual abuse, sexual intimacy, and other inappropriate topics.
2026-02-03 · Dublin
Niall Syms, a 70-year-old pensioner with a background in IT, was jailed for three years for possessing and distributing over 55,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material. Syms pleaded guilty to possession and distribution charges, with the distribution arising from the use of BitTorrent technology. The court heard that the material included serious sexual abuse of children as young as four. Syms had no previous convictions but had attended over 400 hours of therapy. His defense highlighted his remorse and rehabilitation efforts, noting that he had lost his marriage and family due to his actions. Judge Orla Crowe noted the sheer number of images as an aggravating factor and the technical proficiency Syms had in distributing the material. The sentence was backdated to January 23, 2026, and the court acknowledged the delay in the case due to a backlog in analysis. Syms' defense argued that the distribution was unintentional due to residual software activity, but the judge emphasized the need for a custodial sentence despite Syms' efforts at rehabilitation.
2026-01-30 · Ireland
A woman who was allegedly sexually abused by seven of her family members has been told by defence counsel that her allegations against one brother are 'hard to believe' because they are not true. Karl Finnegan SC, defending Accused C, cross-examined the complainant, who is deaf, and suggested that she had told different stories to gardai and the jury. The woman, who is giving evidence via video-link and through interpreters, has told gardai that she was raped by Accused C when she was seven years old. Defence counsel argued that this was not possible as Accused C would have been four at the time. The trial continues with seven men on trial for a combined total of 103 charges, including sexual abuse against the complainant and two of her younger sisters. The court has heard that the complainant has challenges communicating timelines and that the trial is being conducted with the assistance of interpreters and symbols. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
2026-01-29 · Cork
A man who raped one woman, leaving her a 'fearful shell' of herself, and sexually assaulted another on the same night ten years ago has received a seven-year prison sentence. Luca Fox, 30, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of one woman and was convicted of two counts of rape of another woman in Co Cork on October 21, 2015. The victim described the devastating impact the rapes had on her life, health, and relationships over the past decade. Fox, who was 20 at the time, was extremely drunk and assaulted both women in their beds. He has no previous convictions and issued an apology to both women through his counsel. Ms Justice Melanie Greally noted the aggravating factor of multiple offending and the location of the incidents, which should have been a place of safety. She imposed a seven-year sentence for the rape offences and a concurrent two-and-a-half-year sentence for the sexual assault.
2026-01-28 · Cork
An 80-year-old former Scout leader, Noel Sheehan, has argued that two separate trials should have been held due to the serious nature of the allegations made by one of his victims. Sheehan, of Chimneyfields, Glenville, Co Cork, was found guilty of 16 counts of indecent assault against five young boys between 1987 and 1990 and sentenced to four and a half years, with the final six months suspended. His legal team, led by Ray Boland SC, submitted that the trial judge should have held a separate trial for the offences committed against one victim, citing the 'circumstances of cruelty' involved in an attack in a wooded area. The defence argued that the incident was more serious than the other counts, as it occurred outdoors in broad daylight. The prosecution, represented by Katherine McGillicuddy BL, stated that all the incidents were sexual offences involving male children in a Scout troop and that the trial judge was correct to refuse the separate trial application. The court reserved judgment on the appeal, with the three-judge court to consider the matter further. The unnamed 80-year-old pleaded not guilty.
2026-01-26 · Longford
Shane Kelly, 36, of no fixed abode in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for offences committed in the early hours of February 25, 2025. Kelly pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted rape, one count of oral rape, one count of anal rape, and one count of burglary at the home of Anne Gallagher, a 70-year-old neighbour. Ms Justice Melanie Greally described the attack as pre-meditated, noting Kelly was aware of Gallagher's vulnerability, including her chronic health issues and reliance on mobility aids. The judge stated the harm caused was "life-altering" and that Kelly's culpability was of a "particularly extreme level." Although the Director of Public Prosecution assessed the case in the 10 to 15-year category, Ms Justice Greally set a headline sentence of 18 years. Taking mitigating factors into account, she reduced this to 14 years and six months. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended on conditions. A Probation Service report indicated Kelly is at medium risk of reoffending and requires intervention for sexual preoccupation, impulsivity, and drug abuse. Gallagher, who waived her anonymity, stated she chose to forgive Kelly to heal, while the court noted the sentence must be punitive given the egregious violation of her home and the use of violence, including manual strangulation.