Wednesday 28 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. 5391Sexual assault; false imprisonment · Co. Wicklow · 29 Sep 2020

Closing addresses in trial of garda accused of sexual assault and false imprisonment

Garda William Ryan, a 41-year-old man, is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court over alleged sexual assault and false imprisonment of a woman at Aughrim Garda station in Co Wicklow on September 29th, 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. On Tuesday 23 July 2024 prosecuting and defence counsel gave their closing addresses, with the prosecution saying his account was implausible and the defence saying no crime was committed. The judge is due to charge the jury on Thursday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The trial concerns alleged sexual assault and false imprisonment of a woman.
Where
The alleged offences took place at Aughrim Garda station in Co Wicklow.
When
The alleged offences took place on September 29th, 2020.
Other details
  • The accused, Garda William Ryan, is 41 years old.
  • The State's case is that the accused prevented the woman from leaving the Garda station and sexually assaulted her three times.
  • The prosecution said the accused's account of a consensual encounter was implausible, incredible and lacked logic.
  • The defence, led by Breffni Gordon BL, said the accused and the woman made a mistake that day but no crime was committed, and urged an acquittal.
Charges
  • Garda Ryan has pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault.
  • Garda Ryan has pleaded not guilty to one count of false imprisonment.
In court
  • The trial is taking place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
  • Prosecuting counsel Maurice Coffey SC gave his closing address on Tuesday 23 July 2024.
  • The judge will deliver her charge to the jury on Thursday.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged offences took place at Aughrim Garda station in Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on September 29th, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGarda Ryan has pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is taking place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtProsecuting counsel gave his closing address on Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge will deliver her charge to the jury on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe prosecution said the accused's version of events was implausible, incredible and lacked logic. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe State's case is that the accused prevented the complainant from leaving the Garda station and sexually assaulted her three times. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence said no crime was committed on the day in question and urged the jury to acquit. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Jul2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Garda’s account of alleged sexual assault like ‘badly written erotica’, prosecutor says

    Reports the closing addresses in the trial, the prosecution's and defence's positions, and that the judge will charge the jury on Thursday. The accused's pleas and the State's case are also stated.

    accused, William Ryan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Ryanvictim, female