Ireland Clare man jailed for sexually assaulting girl 19 years ago
Gerard Sheedy, a 65-year-old man from Clare, was convicted by a jury of two counts of sexual assault on a girl aged 12 and 13 at the time. The offences took place at a Co Clare address on dates between January and May 2007. Sheedy pleaded not guilty, and in February he was convicted at Ennis Circuit Court and voluntarily went into custody pending sentence. Judge Francis Comerford imposed a three-year, nine-month prison term, from a headline sentence of 52 months reduced to 45 after mitigation, backdated to February. The sentencing was reported on 9 May 2026, and Sheedy is now a registered sex offender.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gerard Sheedy, aged 65, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of sexual assault on a child.
- The victim was aged 12 and 13 at the time of the offending, and one key fact describes her as a 12-year-old girl.
- Where
- The assaults took place at a Co Clare address.
- When
- The assaults took place on dates between January and May 2007.
- The sentencing was reported on 9 May 2026, though the article's tag gives the date as 1 May 2026.
- Cause
- The judge said Sheedy was in a position of care and control over the child at the time.
- Investigation
- Det Garda Keith Taylor put the allegation of sexual assault to Sheedy in a garda interview, and he denied it.
- In court
- Sheedy pleaded not guilty to the two counts before a jury at Ennis Circuit Court.
- The jury convicted him in February, and he voluntarily went into custody pending sentence.
- Sentence
- Judge Francis Comerford imposed a three-year, nine-month prison term.
- The judge set a headline sentence of 52 months, reduced to 45 months after mitigation, with the 45-month terms for each count to run concurrently.
- The judge backdated the prison term to February, when Sheedy first went into custody.
- Other details
- Sheedy is a former HSE hospital porter.
- Sheedy is now a registered sex offender.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGerard Sheedy was found guilty by a jury of two counts of sexual assault on a child. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe offences were two sexual assaults on a 12-year-old girl 19 years earlier. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe assaults took place at a Co Clare address. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe assaults took place on dates between January and May 2007. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe judge said Sheedy was in a position of care and control over the child at the time. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationDet Garda Keith Taylor put the allegation of sexual assault to Sheedy in a garda interview, and he denied it. (thejournal.ie)
- courtSheedy pleaded not guilty to the two counts before a jury convicted him at Ennis Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtSheedy voluntarily went into custody pending sentence after the verdict. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Francis Comerford imposed a three year and nine-month prison term at Ennis Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 52 months, reduced to 45 months after mitigation. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe 45-month terms for each count were ordered to run concurrently. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge backdated the prison term to February, when Sheedy first went into custody. (thejournal.ie)
- otherSheedy is now a registered sex offender. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2026Clare man (65) who sexually assaulted girl 19 years ago is jailed
Reports the sentencing of Gerard Sheedy at Ennis Circuit Court after a February jury verdict, including the 45-month term, backdating to February, and that he is now a registered sex offender.
convicted, Gerard Sheedy, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard Sheedyvictim, 12 and 13 at the time of offending, female