Thursday 29 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. 8378Sexual assault of a child · Co. Clare · 7 Jun 2023

Clare man jailed for sexual assault of 13-year-old groomed via Snapchat

Ryce Clohessy, a 23-year-old man from west Clare, pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Court to two counts of sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl at Vandeleur Woods, Feagarroge, Kilrush, on or around 7 June 2023, and to using ICT to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child between 19 May and 22 June 2023. The two had met at a Christening in May 2023, and after the girl's mother was told, they went to Kilrush Garda Station on 7 July 2023 to make a complaint. Judge Francis Comerford imposed a headline sentence of 40 months, reduced to 28 months with the final six months suspended, so Clohessy was jailed for one year and 10 months. The sentencing was reported as taking place on 19 September 2026, the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Clohessy grabbed the girl's buttocks and started to kiss her at Vandeleur Woods.
Where
The offences took place at Vandeleur Woods, Feagarroge, Kilrush, County Clare.
When
  • The two first met at a Christening in May 2023 and arranged to meet at Vandeleur Woods on 7 June 2023.
  • The sentencing was reported as taking place on 19 September 2026, while the article metadata is dated 1 September 2026.
Cause
The judge said Clohessy groomed the girl by sending sexual videos of himself via Snapchat and inducing her to send explicit pictures.
Investigation
The girl's mother was told, and on 7 July 2023 the two went to Kilrush Garda Station to make a complaint.
Charges
  • Clohessy pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of the girl at Vandeleur Woods, Feagarroge, Kilrush.
  • Clohessy pleaded guilty to using ICT to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child between 19 May and 22 June 2023.
In court
Clohessy was sentenced at Ennis Circuit Court by Judge Francis Comerford.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of 40 months, reduced to 28 months with the final six months suspended.
  • Clohessy was jailed for one year and 10 months.
Other details
  • Clohessy had no previous convictions apart from a few road traffic matters.
  • Defence counsel said the conduct was an aberration and that Clohessy does not have an attraction to children.
  • The judge accepted that Clohessy's name should be published.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAt Vandeleur Woods, Clohessy grabbed the girl's buttocks and started to kiss her. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe two first met at a Christening in May 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe two arranged to meet at Vandeleur Woods on 7 June 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe judge said Clohessy engaged in grooming by sending sexual videos of himself via Snapchat and inducing the girl to send explicit pictures. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe girl's mother was told and on 7 July 2023 the two went to Kilrush Garda Station to make a complaint. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeClohessy pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of the girl at Vandeleur Woods, Feagarroge, Kilrush. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeClohessy pleaded guilty to using ICT to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child between 19 May and 22 June 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtClohessy was sentenced to a 28-month prison term with the final six months suspended at Ennis Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 40 months before reducing it to 28 months with the final six months suspended. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceClohessy was jailed for one year and 10 months. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherClohessy had no previous convictions apart from a few road traffic matters. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the conduct was an aberration and Clohessy does not have an attraction to children. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge accepted that Clohessy's name should be published. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Sep2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Judge jails west Clare man for sexual assault of 13-year-old he groomed via Snapchat

    Reports the sentencing at Ennis Circuit Court on 19 September 2026: a 28-month sentence with the final six months suspended, a headline sentence of 40 months, and Clohessy's guilty pleas to two counts of sexual assault and one ICT grooming count. Gives the offence dates and the complaint made to gardaí in July 2023.

    convicted, Ryce Clohessy, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryce Clohessyvictim, 13, female