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. 3361Sexual assault, providing remuneration to a child for sexual exploitation · Co. Sligo

Afghan former teacher jailed for six years for sexually assaulting teenage girl in Sligo

Ziaullhaq Safi, 37, a former Afghan teacher working at a fast-food restaurant in Sligo, was sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in a dark alleyway in Sligo town in April 2023, plus a concurrent four-year and three-month term for providing remuneration to a child for sexual exploitation. He was unanimously convicted by a jury at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe brought them behind a locked door where he sexually assaulted the complainant (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe complainant resisted and told him to stop but he exposed himself (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe complainant's friend was present during the eight-minute attack (irishtimes.com)
  • whereSafi worked at a fast-food restaurant in Sligo (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe sexual assault took place in April 2023 (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe jury heard from 13 witnesses and viewed CCTV footage (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSafi was unanimously convicted by a jury at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSafi had been in custody on remand since the jury found him guilty on 13 March (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a six-year sentence for the sexual assault and a concurrent term of four years and three months for the second charge (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim, now 19, suffered flashbacks, nightmares and suicidal thoughts (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe girl had vulnerabilities and grew up in care (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSafi had taught children in Afghanistan before fleeing persecution by the Taliban (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSafi had no prior convictions and had an industrious work record since coming to Ireland (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe teenager had been served alcohol in three specific licensed premises (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSafi did not speak English and listened to the proceedings with the aid of an interpreter (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Apr2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man jailed for six years for sexually assaulting teenage girl in Sligo

    Sentencing hearing before Judge Roderick Maguire presiding in Mullingar. The judge also noted the teenager had been served alcohol in three licensed premises and that gardaí should consider this when those premises renew their licences.

    victim, 16, femaleconvicted, Ziaullhaq Safi, 37, male, Afghan, named, non-irishZiaullhaq Safi