Ireland Case No. 5507Rape · Co. Tipperary · 6 Jun 2021
Appeal lodged against rape conviction in Tipperary
A 26-year-old woman was raped at a house party in County Tipperary on 6 June 2021. Tadgh Lonergan, a man aged 28 (reports differ, 30), was arrested on 29 June 2021 and charged with rape. After a first trial ended without a verdict, a second Central Criminal Court jury convicted him in 2024. He was sentenced on 29 July 2024 to eight-and-a-half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended. In October 2026, Lonergan appealed his conviction to the Court of Criminal Appeal, where judgment was reserved.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court8 Oct
- Convicted8 Jul
4 reports - Sentenced29 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 26-year-old woman was raped at a house party in County Tipperary.
- Lonergan forcibly kissed the woman, bit her neck, pushed her onto the bed and raped her.
- Where
- The rape took place at a friend's house in County Tipperary.
- When
- The rape took place on 6 June 2021.
- Investigation
- Lonergan was arrested on 29 June 2021 and interviewed six times, denying any wrongdoing.
- The woman was treated in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and found to have bruising on her neck, thigh and ankle.
- Charges
- Lonergan was charged with rape and pleaded not guilty.
- In court
- A first trial ended without a verdict after the jury failed to agree, and a second trial followed.
- Lonergan was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in 2024.
- In October 2026, Lonergan appealed his conviction to the Court of Criminal Appeal, arguing the trial judge deprecated the defence, and the court reserved judgment.
- Sentence
- Lonergan was sentenced on 29 July 2024 to eight-and-a-half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions.
- Lonergan must undergo 18 months of post-release supervision, have no contact with the victim, and not commit further sexual offences during his lifetime.
65 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA woman was raped at a house party. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatLonergan forcibly kissed the woman, bit her neck, forced her onto the bed and raped her. (tipperarylive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatLonergan had pleaded not guilty to rape at a house in Tipperary. (thejournal.ie)
- whatLonergan was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatLonergan tried to kiss the victim and pushed her onto the bed (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe victim told him to stop and attempted to repel him but was unable (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatLonergan raped the victim on the bed and bit her neck (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe victim found the door locked and became hysterical (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatOther guests noticed she was distressed and she made an immediate allegation (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatIn garda interviews Lonergan claimed the sex was consensual (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatHis lawyers suggested the victim made a false allegation because she was embarrassed (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe rape took place at a house in Tipperary. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe woman attended a friend's party in Tipperary. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe rape took place at a house in Tipperary on 6 June 2021. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe rape took place on 6 June 2021. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie, irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whenThe rape occurred in June 2021 at a friend's house in County Tipperary (tipperarylive.ie)
- causeThe woman was at a friend's house party when the rape took place. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationLonergan was arrested on 29 June 2021 and interviewed six times. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe woman reported the rape to gardaí and was later treated in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- investigationLonergan denied any wrongdoing when interviewed. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationLonergan denied any wrongdoing. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe woman reported the rape to gardaí and was treated in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe woman reported the rape to the Gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe woman was treated in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and found to have bruising on her neck, thigh and ankle. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationLonergan denied any wrongdoing in interview. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeLonergan had pleaded not guilty to rape. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeLonergan was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of rape. (thejournal.ie)
- courtLonergan was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury last month. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThere were two trials after a jury failed to agree on a verdict in an earlier trial this year. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLonergan was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury the previous month. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtLonergan was remanded in custody until 29 July for sentence. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe judge acknowledged that Lonergan had no previous convictions. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtA jury failed to agree on a verdict in an earlier trial this year, so there were two trials. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThere were two trials after a jury failed to agree on a verdict in an earlier trial. (thejournal.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe woman read her victim impact statement into the record at the sentence hearing. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA first trial ended without a verdict after the jury failed to agree, and a second trial followed. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtLonergan was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury. (irishmirror.ie, tipperarylive.ie, thejournal.ie)
- courtLonergan's bail was revoked and he was remanded in custody after conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge accepted that Lonergan had no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said the aggravating feature of the case was the impact on the victim. (tipperarylive.ie, thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge noted limited mitigation, including Lonergan's work history and lack of previous convictions. (tipperarylive.ie, thejournal.ie)
- courtColman Cody SC argued the trial judge deprecated the defence's argument (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe judge described the defence as a 'complicated and futile way' of covering up sex with a stranger (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe jury was told the victim lied to friends, a nurse, gardai and family for three years (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMr Justice Hunt said he had presided over trials where he believed the complainant was lying (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtEoghan Cole SC for the DPP said no complaints were raised at the time (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMs Justice Nuala Butler, Ms Justice Tara Burns and Mr Justice Paul Burns reserved judgment (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said he had no option but to impose an immediate custodial sentence. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceLonergan was remanded in continuing custody until 29 July for sentence. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said he would impose an immediate custodial sentence. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceMr Justice Hunt remanded Lonergan in continuing custody until 29 July for sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe woman delivered her victim impact statement at the sentence hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceLonergan was handed an eight-and-a-half-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions. (tipperarylive.ie, thejournal.ie)
- sentenceLonergan has been jailed for seven years. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceLonergan must undergo 18 months of post-release supervision, have no contact with the victim, and not commit further sexual offences during his lifetime. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceLonergan was directed to undergo 18 months of post-release supervision, to have no contact with the victim and not to commit further sexual offences during his lifetime. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe woman was found to have bruising on her neck, thigh and ankle. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie, thejournal.ie)
- otherLonergan denied any wrongdoing during garda interviews. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe woman delivered a victim impact statement at Lonergan's sentence hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIn her victim impact statement the woman said Lonergan made her feel like a prisoner in her own life. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe woman said Lonergan has made her feel like a prisoner in her own life. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDefence counsel said Lonergan will still be a young man when he re-enters society. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe victim said the rape had a lasting effect on her life, including on her health, work and confidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim was found to have bruising on her neck, thigh and ankle. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe woman said the rape had torn her life into pieces. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Oct2026Appeal made against conviction in Tipperary rape case
Reports the appeal hearing before the Court of Criminal Appeal (Justices Butler, Burns and Burns) where Lonergan's counsel argued the trial judge deprecated the defence; the court reserved judgment. Also includes the 2024 sentencing remarks by Mr Justice Hunt.
victim, femaleconvicted, Tadgh Lonergan, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Lonergan - 30 Jul2024Man who raped woman at house party jailed for seven years
Reports the sentence of eight and a half years with the final 18 months suspended, the post-release conditions, the judge's remarks and the victim impact statement. Confirms the jury conviction and the two trials.
convicted, Tadgh Lonergan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Lonerganvictim, 26, female - 29 Jul2024BREAKING: Tipperary man who raped woman at house party jailed for seven years
Reports the sentence imposed on Lonergan: an eight-and-a-half-year term with the final 18 months suspended, plus 18 months of post-release supervision and no-contact and reoffending conditions. Adds the judge's sentencing remarks and details of the trials and garda investigation.
victim, 26, femaleconvicted, Tadgh Lonergan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Lonergan - 8 Jul2024Woman raped at house party says she's been made feel 'a prisoner in my own life'
Reports the sentence hearing: the victim's impact statement, the judge's comments that an immediate custodial sentence is required, the defence plea on Lonergan's character, and the adjournment to 29 July 2024 for sentence.
convicted, Tadgh Lonergan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Lonerganvictim, 26, female - 8 Jul2024Woman raped at house party says she feels like 'a prisoner' in her own life
Reports the victim impact statement read at the sentence hearing, the judge's remarks that an immediate custodial sentence will be imposed, and that Lonergan was remanded in custody until 29 July for sentence. The defence also argued for a lighter sentence on character grounds.
victim, 26, femaleconvicted, Tadgh Lonergan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Lonergan - 8 Jul2024Woman raped at Tipperary house party felt like 'prisoner' in her own life
Reports the sentence hearing: the victim impact statement, the judge's remarks that an immediate custodial sentence will be imposed, and sentencing adjourned to 29 July. Adds the trial history and details of the offence and the investigation.
victim, 26, femaleconvicted, Tadgh Lonergan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Lonergan - 8 Jul2024Woman raped at house party feels like ‘prisoner in my own life’ since attack
Reports the woman's victim impact statement, the judge's remarks that an immediate custodial sentence will be imposed, the defence case, and that Lonergan was remanded for sentence on 29 July. The conviction was returned last month, after an earlier trial this year ended without a verdict.
convicted, Tadgh Lonergan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tadgh Lonerganvictim, 26, female