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. 6132Sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Court martial hears evidence of alleged sexual assaults on colleagues by former soldier

A former Defence Forces member, a man who cannot be named for legal reasons, is on trial at a limited court martial at McKee Barracks in Dublin over alleged sexual assaults on two colleagues, a female soldier and a male soldier, at a military base between 2am and 5.30am on 13 November 2021. On 9 April 2024 he pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including sexual assault, assault and offences against military law. On 10 April 2024 the court heard evidence about an altercation in the early hours, and the hearing continues on Thursday under reporting restrictions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Apr
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A former Defence Forces member is accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague by moving his hands up her leg without consent.
  • He is accused of sexually assaulting a male colleague by putting his arms around him in a hug and moving his face towards him.
  • He is accused of sexually abusing colleagues and making unwelcome suggestions when a drinking session in his room turned into an altercation.
  • Female soldiers gave evidence that he put his hand up her shorts and went to bite the left side of her neck.
  • He is accused of simulating an act of oral sex in front of another soldier.
Where
The alleged offences took place at a military base, and the court martial is held at McKee Barracks on Blackhorse Avenue in Dublin.
When
The alleged offences took place between 2am and 5.30am on 13 November 2021.
Cause
He had reportedly been the victim of an alleged assault after a drunken row with a friend, and had been drinking with a friend on the base before the incident.
Other details
  • A fellow soldier punched him during the altercation, and a witness heard a soldier shout that he would put a barrel down his throat.
  • Reporting restrictions prohibit publishing the names of the accused and the complainants.
Charges
  • He pleaded not guilty on 9 April 2024 to eight charges, including three sexual assault charges, two against a female colleague and one against a male colleague.
  • Sources differ on the other charges: one lists three assault charges and two military law offences, while another lists two counts of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.
In court
  • The limited court martial has a judge and a five-member military board, is prosecuted by the Director of Military Prosecution, and is expected to last over a week.
  • The second day of the hearing on 10 April 2024 heard evidence, and the hearing continues on Thursday.
36 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatIt is alleged the accused sexually assaulted a female colleague who came to his room, moving his hands up her leg without consent. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatIt is alleged the accused sexually assaulted a male soldier by moving his hands around him in a hugging motion. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe defendant has since left the Army. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe defendant allegedly sexually abused and made unwelcome suggestions to colleagues when a drinking session in his room turned into an altercation. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA female soldier said the defendant put his hand up her shorts. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA female soldier said the defendant went to bite the left side of her neck. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA male soldier said the defendant later advanced towards him attempting an embrace. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged offences involved two colleagues on a military base. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe court martial is held at McKee Barracks on Blackhorse Avenue in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged offences occurred at a military base. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe court martial sitting was held at McKee Barracks in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place between 2am and 5.30am on 13 November 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences occurred between 2.10am and 5.30am on 13 November 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe altercation happened in the early hours. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenA female soldier was called to the scene shortly after 2am. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe accused had been the victim of an alleged assault following a drunken row with a friend. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeIt is alleged the accused was drinking alcohol with a friend on the base before the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeA fellow soldier punched the defendant during the altercation. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to a total of eight charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a female colleague. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with two counts of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with two allegations of sexual assault against a female colleague. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with one further sexual assault against a male colleague. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused also faces three charges of assault and two alleged offences against military law. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe defendant pleaded not guilty to two sexual assault allegations against a female colleague and one against a male colleague. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case is being heard at a court martial in the Military Justice Centre at McKee Barracks in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe limited court martial has a judge and a military board of five members and is expected to last over a week. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused has pleaded not guilty to the three charges. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Director of Military Prosecution opened the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe court martial is due to continue on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe second day of the limited court martial sitting heard evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe hearing continues on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused allegedly simulated an act of oral sex in front of another soldier. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherExtensive reporting restrictions have been imposed by the military judge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherReporting restrictions prohibit publishing the names of the accused and complainants. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA witness heard a soldier shout that he was going to put a barrel down the defendant's throat. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Apr2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Soldier sexually abused colleagues when drinking session turned sour, court martial told

    Second day of a limited court martial sitting; the defendant has pleaded not guilty to two sexual assault allegations against a female colleague and one against a male colleague; the hearing continues Thursday.

    accusedvictim, femalevictim, male
  2. 9 Apr2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Former Defence Forces member charged with sex assaults on two soldiers at military base

    First report of the court martial opening: the accused cannot be named, pleas of not guilty, the alleged incidents at a military base, and evidence from two soldiers and a third witness heard on Tuesday.

    accused, malevictim, femalevictim, male
  3. 9 Apr2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Military trial for ex-soldier accused of sexually assaulting colleagues

    Court martial report: the accused pleaded not guilty to eight charges. Reporting restrictions prevent publication of his name, the military personnel involved and the base location.

    accused, malevictim, femalevictim, male