Friday 30 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. 14511Defilement of a child under 15 · Co. Longford

Brothers found guilty of defilement of sister at Longford Circuit Court

Two brothers, who cannot be named, were accused of defilement of a child under 15, their sister, over unknown days between September 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 at a named location in County Longford. The defence accepted that the sexual offence had taken place but entered a defence of duress. After a 10-day trial at Longford Circuit Court, a jury returned guilty verdicts on three of six charges, reported on February 20, 2025: the younger brother was found guilty on two of four charges and the older brother on one of two counts, with the other count directed not guilty by the judge. The judge adjourned sentencing to July 15, 2025, for psychological reports, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted19 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two brothers were accused of defilement of a child under 15 involving their sister.
Where
The alleged offences took place at a named location in County Longford.
When
The offences were alleged to have occurred on unknown days between September 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015.
Charges
The brothers were charged with defilement of a child under the age of 15 contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act.
Other details
The brothers cannot be named.
In court
  • The trial took place over 10 days at Longford Circuit Court before Judge Kenneth Connolly.
  • The defence accepted that the sexual offence had taken place but entered a defence of duress.
  • The jury returned a 10 to 1 majority verdict with the consent of the defence and prosecution.
  • The younger brother was found guilty on the first two charges and not guilty on the second two.
  • The older brother was found not guilty on one count by direction of the judge and guilty on the second charge by the jury.
  • Overall, the jury found the defendants guilty on three of six charges.
Investigation
The defence asked for a full psychological work-up to be undertaken.
Sentence
The judge adjourned the matter to July 15, 2025, for sentencing and psychological reports.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe offences were alleged to have occurred on unknown days between September 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe defence asked for a full psychological work-up to be undertaken. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeThe brothers were accused of defilement of a child under 15 involving their sister. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe trial took place over 10 days at Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defence accepted that the sexual offence had taken place but entered a defence of duress. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe jury returned a 10 to 1 majority verdict with the consent of the defence and prosecution. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe younger brother was found guilty on the first two charges and not guilty on the second two. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe older brother was found not guilty on one count by direction of the judge and guilty on the second charge by the jury. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge adjourned the matter to July 15, 2025, for sentencing and psychological reports. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Feb2025
    Convictedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford Circuit Court jury returns guilty verdict on brothers accused of defilement of sister

    Jury verdicts in the trial: younger brother guilty on two of four charges, older brother guilty on one of two counts (one count directed not guilty). Sentencing adjourned to July 15, 2025.

    convicted, maleconvicted, malevictim, female