Thursday 29 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. 10725Indecent assault of a child · Co. Clare

95-year-old man charged with indecent assault of a child in Ennis, Clare

A 95-year-old man born in 1930 and living in Co Clare has been charged with indecent assault of a child over alleged offences at an Ennis address between 1 August 1978 and 31 August 1980, when he was aged 48 to 50 and the complainant was a girl. A detective garda arrested him in the car park of Ennis Garda Station for the purpose of charge, and he replied "no comment" after caution. He was returned for trial at Ennis District Court on 25 February after a Book of Evidence, and State counsel sought a trial date of 14 April at Ennis Circuit Court, which the defence called overly ambitious. The latest development is that the judge adjourned the case to a call over on 1 May, with priority at the July sittings.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The accused, a 95-year-old man, is charged with indecent assault of a child.
  • The complainant, a woman, was a child at the time of the alleged offences.
Where
The alleged offences took place at an Ennis address in County Clare.
When
The alleged offences took place between 1 August 1978 and 31 August 1980.
Other details
  • The accused was aged 48 to 50 at the time of the alleged offences.
  • The accused was born in 1930, has a Co Clare address and is a wheelchair user.
Investigation
  • A detective garda arrested the accused in the car park of Ennis Garda Station for the purpose of charge.
  • Disclosure is in hand, according to State counsel.
Charges
  • The accused is charged with seven counts of indecently assaulting a child, contrary to Common Law and Section 6 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1935; one source says seven counts and another refers to eight charges.
  • The accused replied "no comment" after caution to each of the charges.
In court
  • The accused was returned for trial at Ennis District Court on 25 February after a Book of Evidence.
  • State counsel sought a trial date of 14 April at Ennis Circuit Court, which the defence said was overly ambitious because of complex issues.
  • The judge adjourned the case to a call over on 1 May, with priority at the July sittings.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged offences took place at an Ennis address. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place between 1 August 1978 and 31 August 1980. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationDisclosure is in hand, according to State counsel. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationA detective garda arrested the accused in the car park of Ennis Garda Station for the purpose of charge. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with seven counts of indecently assaulting a child. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe charges are contrary to Common Law and Section 6 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1935. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtState counsel sought a trial date of 14 April at Ennis Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused was returned for trial at Ennis District Court on 25 February after a Book of Evidence. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe defence said the 14 April trial date was overly ambitious because of complex issues. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the case could be adjourned to a call over on 1 May, with priority at the July sittings. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused is a 95-year-old man. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused was aged 48 to 50 at the time of the alleged offences. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused has a Co Clare address and was born in 1930. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused replied "no comment" after caution to each of the eight charges. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherA Garda sergeant said the complainant was a child at the time of the alleged offences. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Early trial date sought for 95-year-old man accused of indecent assault of girl almost 50 years ago

    Reports the DPP's application for an early trial date at Ennis Circuit Court, the defence response, the adjournment and the accused's age and birth year.

    accused, 95, malevictim, female