Ireland Blessington man jailed for sexually assaulting sleeping woman
Philip Dignam (41), of Lacken, Blessington, Co Wicklow, recorded eight videos of sexual assaults on Kathleen Morris, a woman, while she was asleep or unconscious, on dates unknown in 2020. Morris became aware of the assaults in 2022, when her then-partner found the videos. Dignam pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting her, and at a sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court, Justice Paul Burns imposed an eight-year sentence with the final year suspended on conditions. The latest report, published on 14 May 2026, gives the sentence as seven years in its headline and eight years in its body text.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced14 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Philip Dignam recorded eight videos depicting sexual assaults on Kathleen Morris while she was asleep or unconscious.
- Where
- Dignam, of Lacken, Blessington, Co Wicklow, is the man named in the case.
- When
- The assaults took place on dates unknown in 2020.
- Investigation
- Morris became aware of the assaults in 2022, when her then-partner found the videos.
- Other details
- Dignam sent the videos to a phone handset previously used by Morris.
- Dignam had a previous conviction for possession of child sex abuse material from 2018.
- Morris waived her anonymity.
- Charges
- Dignam pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting Kathleen Morris.
- In court
- The sentence hearing was held at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Paul Burns.
- Sentence
- The judge said the case warranted a headline sentence of nine years, and imposed an eight-year prison sentence with the final year suspended on strict conditions, including three years of Probation Service engagement after release.
- The sentence was reported as seven years in the article headline and body text, while the sentencing report and body text give eight years.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDignam recorded eight videos of sexual assault on the woman while she was asleep or unconscious. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe assaults took place on dates unknown in 2020. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeDignam pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting Kathleen Morris. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe sentence hearing was held at the Central Criminal Court. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe judge said the case warranted a headline sentence of nine years. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a sentence of eight years in prison. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe final year was suspended on strict conditions, including three years of Probation Service engagement after release. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe victim only became aware of the assaults in 2022, when her then-partner found the videos. (kildarenow.com)
- otherDignam sent the videos to a phone handset previously used by the victim. (kildarenow.com)
- otherDignam had a previous conviction for possession of child sex abuse material from 2018. (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 May2026Blessington man jailed for sexually assaulting sleeping woman
Sentencing report: eight-year sentence with final year suspended on conditions, headline sentence of nine years, victim waived anonymity. The headline says seven years, but the body text says eight years.
convicted, Philip Dignam, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Dignamvictim, Kathleen Morris, female, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Morris