Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3321Indecent assault · Co. Clare · 1 Jul 1973

92-year-old man on trial for indecent assault of two orphaned sisters in Co Clare

A 92-year-old Co Clare man is on trial at Ennis Circuit Court, denying eight counts of indecently assaulting two young orphaned sisters between 1973 and 1975. The jury, which began deliberations on 27 October 2026, was told the accused's €70,000 civil settlement payment in November 2024 is evidence of his guilt.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused was aged between 39 and 40 at the time of the alleged offences. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe accused paid €70,000 in a civil settlement in November 2024. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe accused was aware of an ongoing criminal investigation at the time of the payment. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe accused was a quasi father figure to the two orphaned girls. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe two girls had lost both parents by the time they reached the ages of five and four. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe complainants told each other about the indecent assaults in 1987. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe accused's wife was god-mother to one of the girls and took them in after their parents died. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe defence stated the €70,000 was paid without an admission of liability. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe defence argued the complainants were talking to each other 40 years ago but not to Gardaí. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences occurred between 1 July 1973 and 31 January 1975. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe accused's wife died in late 2023. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe accused denies eight counts of indecently assaulting two young girls. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeTwo counts relate to the younger sister and six to the older sister. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe case is being tried at Ennis Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe jury commenced deliberations just before 4pm on Tuesday and deliberated until 5pm. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe 11 members of the jury are to recommence deliberations on Wednesday morning. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Oct2026
    In courtclareecho.ie, first report
    90-year-old’s €70,000 payment to orphaned sisters evidence of man’s guilt of indecent assaults half a century ago, jury told - Clare Echo

    Reports closing arguments at Ennis Circuit Court and the start of jury deliberations on eight counts of indecent assault dating from 1973–1975.

    accused, 92, male, irish (judged from name)victim, femalevictim, female