Ireland Circuit Court judge Gerard O'Brien convicted of sexual assault of young men
Gerard O'Brien, a 59-year-old Circuit Court judge who had been a teacher at a secondary school in Dublin, was the subject of complaints made to gardaí in 2019 over alleged sexual assaults on six young men aged 17 to 24. The alleged offences took place at locations in Co Dublin between March 1991 and November 1997. He was charged in 2021 and pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault. A jury at the Central Criminal Court found him guilty on all counts, as reported on 22 December 2023, and Mr Justice Alexander Owens adjourned sentencing to 4 March next while granting him continuing bail. The Minister for Justice has since asked the Attorney General to advise on the options open to the Government and the Oireachtas.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted22 Dec
3 reports - Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A Circuit Court judge, Gerard O'Brien, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of sexually assaulting six young men.
- Where
- The offences took place at locations in Co Dublin.
- The offences were committed while O'Brien was teaching at a secondary school in Dublin.
- When
- The offences occurred between March 1991 and November 1997.
- Other details
- The complainants were aged between 17 and 24 at the time, O'Brien was in his 30s, and four of the complainants were students or former students of the school.
- Following the verdict, O'Brien is on the sex offenders register.
- Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she noted the criminal conviction and has asked the Attorney General to advise on the options open to the Government and the Oireachtas, including the removal of judges.
- Investigation
- Formal complaints about the alleged offences were made to gardaí in 2019, and the investigation was led by Insp Jonathan Hayes.
- Charges
- O'Brien was charged in 2021 and pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault.
- In court
- A jury of six men and four women found O'Brien guilty on all counts, as reported on 22 December 2023.
- Mr Justice Alexander Owens said he would not remand O'Brien in custody at this stage, given his special circumstances, and O'Brien was granted continuing bail.
- Sentence
- Sentencing was adjourned to 4 March next.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Circuit Court judge was convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting six young men. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe Minister for Justice described the cases as appalling cases of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
- whatO'Brien was found guilty of six counts of sexual assault of young men. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe offences took place at locations in Co Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe offences were committed while O'Brien was a teacher in a secondary school in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences occurred between March 1991 and November 1997. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences that gave rise to the criminal proceedings occurred between 1991 and 1997. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences took place on dates between March 1991 and November 1997. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFormal complaints about alleged 1990s offences were made to gardaí in 2019, and investigations were led by Insp Jonathan Hayes. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeO’Brien had pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeO’Brien was charged in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury of six men and four women convicted O’Brien on all counts. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said he would not remand O’Brien in custody at this stage, given his special circumstances. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Minister for Justice said she noted the criminal conviction secured against the judge. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury at the Central Criminal Court found O'Brien guilty on all counts. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Alexander Owens adjourned the case for sentencing to 4 March. (irishtimes.com)
- courtO'Brien was granted continuing bail. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe case was adjourned for sentencing to March 4th. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe complainants were aged between 17 and 24 at the time of the offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFour of the complainants were students or former students of the school at the relevant times. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFollowing the verdict, O’Brien is now on the sex offenders register. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Minister for Justice has asked the Attorney General to advise on the options open to the Government and the Oireachtas. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Dec2023Minister for Justice seeks AG’s advice after judge is convicted of sexual assault
Reports the jury conviction of Gerard O'Brien on six counts of sexual assault, with sentencing set for 4 March and continuing bail. The Minister for Justice has asked the Attorney General to advise on options open to the Government and the Oireachtas, including the removal of judges.
convicted, Gerard O'Brien, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard O'Brienvictim, male - 22 Dec2023Gerard O’Brien: Convicted judge overcame severe physical disability to teach and pursue legal career
Irish Times profile of Judge Gerard O’Brien that reports his criminal conviction, the 1991–1997 timeframe, the 2019 complaints, the 2021 charge, and a ministerial reaction. Most of the article is biographical.
convicted, Gerard O'Brien, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard O'Brien - 22 Dec2023Judge convicted of sexually assaulting six males on dates in the 1990s
First report of the jury verdict. Sentencing is adjourned to March 4th, and the judge is not remanding O’Brien in custody. No existing case in the list matches this one.
convicted, Gerard O'Brien, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard O'Brienvictim, malevictim, 18, malevictim, 24, malevictim, 17, malevictim, 19, malevictim, 17, male