Charlene Masterson sues convicted sex offender father David Masterson in High Court
David Masterson, formerly of Tallaght, west Dublin, pleaded guilty in 2021 to six offences relating to sexual abuse of his daughter Charlene Masterson and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Charlene Masterson initiated a High Court lawsuit in January 2026 seeking damages for personal injuries caused by the abuse over a seven-year period, and Masterson was served with the proceedings at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise. A warning letter was sent in March threatening to seek judgment, and Masterson was granted a legal aid certificate in May. The case, brought under the Equal Status Act 2000 and Articles 34, 37 and 40 of the Constitution, came before Judge Emily Egan on 16 June 2026 and was adjourned to July.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court16 Jun
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Charlene Masterson is suing her father David Masterson in the High Court for sexual abuse over a seven-year period, seeking damages for personal injuries including sexual assault, rape, battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional suffering.
- When
- The lawsuit was initiated in January 2026.
- Where
- David Masterson is formerly of Tallaght, west Dublin, and was served with the proceedings at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.
- Charges
- David Masterson pleaded guilty in 2021 to six offences relating to sexual abuse of his daughter.
- Sentence
- David Masterson was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
- In court
- A warning letter was sent to Masterson in March 2026 threatening to seek judgment.
- The case is brought under the Equal Status Act 2000 and Articles 34, 37 and 40 of the Constitution.
- The case came before Judge Emily Egan on 16 June 2026 and was adjourned to July.
- Judge Mary Rose Gearty granted David Eccles permission to argue for the quashing of the Legal Aid Board's refusal to fund his WRC complaints and adjourned the matter to July.
- Other details
- David Masterson was granted a legal aid certificate in May 2026.
- David Eccles, 33, of Baldoyle, Dublin 13, has Usher Syndrome Type 1 affecting his hearing, vision and balance, and has initiated proceedings before the WRC against Vision Ireland and the HSE.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCharlene Masterson is suing David Masterson in the High Court over sexual abuse over a seven-year period (irishtimes.com)
- whatDavid Eccles is 33 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatEccles has a rare genetic condition called Usher Syndrome Type 1 affecting his hearing, vision and balance (irishtimes.com)
- whatEccles was registered blind when he was 10 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatEccles was born profoundly deaf and has experienced progressive vision loss (irishtimes.com)
- whatEccles uses Irish Sign Language as his first and only accessible language (irishtimes.com)
- whatEccles is unemployed and dependent on social welfare (irishtimes.com)
- whereDavid Masterson is formerly of Tallaght, west Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whereDavid Masterson was served with the proceedings at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise (irishtimes.com)
- whereDavid Eccles lives in Baldoyle, Dublin 13 (irishtimes.com)
- whenCharlene Masterson initiated the lawsuit in January 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDavid Masterson pleaded guilty in 2021 to six offences relating to sexual abuse of his daughter (irishtimes.com)
- courtA warning letter was sent in March threatening to seek judgment against Masterson (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case came before Judge Emily Egan on Monday (irishtimes.com)
- courtBarrister Colin Smith successfully applied to Judge Mary Rose Gearty for permission to argue for the quashing of the legal aid refusal (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case is taken under the Equal Status Act 2000 and Articles 34, 37 and 40 of the Constitution (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge granted permission for the legal challenge and adjourned the matter to July (irishtimes.com)
- courtEccles has initiated proceedings before the WRC against Vision Ireland and the HSE (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceDavid Masterson was sentenced to 17 years in prison (irishtimes.com)
- otherDavid Masterson was granted a legal aid certificate in May (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Jun2026Deaf-blind man in High Court seeking legal aid to pursue discrimination case
Reports that Judge Mary Rose Gearty granted David Eccles permission to argue for the quashing of the Legal Aid Board's refusal to fund his WRC discrimination complaint, and adjourned the matter to July.
victim, David Eccles, 33, male, non-irish (judged from name)David Eccles - 16 Jun2026Charlene Masterson suing convicted sex offender father over abuse
Reports the procedural progress of the civil damages action, including the unless order and costs order made by Judge Emily Egan.
victim, Charlene Masterson, female, irish (judged from name)Charlene Mastersonconvicted, David Masterson, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Masterson