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. 7223Sexual assault · Co. Tipperary · 10 Mar 2019

Court of Appeal increases suspended sentence for sexual assault of au pair in Tipperary

In March 2019 a man cut off the underwear of an au pair in her 20s and sexually assaulted her while she slept at an address in County Tipperary. The suspect, Brian Haig, is a 40-year-old man from Roscrea, Co Tipperary, who pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual assault. On January 12th, 2023, Judge Cormac Quinn imposed an 18-month fully suspended sentence at Tipperary Circuit Court, and the DPP appealed it as unduly lenient. On October 31st, 2023, the Court of Appeal quashed that sentence and resentenced Haig to 3½ years with the final 12 months suspended, which the Irish Times reported as sending him to jail for 2½ years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The man cut off the underwear of an au pair in her 20s and sexually assaulted her while she slept.
Where
The offence took place at an address in County Tipperary.
When
The offence took place on March 10th, 2019.
Other details
  • The suspect, Brian Haig, is a 40-year-old man from Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
  • The prosecutor, Dermot Collins SC for the DPP, said the cutting and removal of her clothing while she was asleep was the starkest aggravating factor.
Charges
Haig pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual assault.
In court
  • Judge Cormac Quinn imposed an 18-month fully suspended sentence at Tipperary Circuit Court on January 12th, 2023.
  • The DPP appealed the sentence as unduly lenient, arguing the headline sentence of 2½ years was too low.
Sentence
  • The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence on October 31st, 2023.
  • The Court of Appeal resentenced Haig to 3½ years with the final 12 months suspended, which the Irish Times reported as 2½ years in jail.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man cut off the au pair's underwear and sexually assaulted her while she slept. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offence took place at an address in County Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offence took place on March 10th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponForensic analysis indicated the clothing was cut with a sharp blade, possibly a knife or scissors. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHaig was arrested and initially told gardaí he believed he had performed consensual oral sex on the injured party. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHaig pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Cormac Quinn imposed an 18-month suspended sentence at Tipperary Circuit Court on January 12th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP appealed the sentence as unduly lenient. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe Court of Appeal resentenced Haig to 3½ years with the final 12 months suspended. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Oct2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Suspended sentence for sexual assault of au pair too lenient, Court of Appeal rules

    Reports the Court of Appeal's ruling that the original 18-month fully suspended sentence was unduly lenient, and its resentencing of Haig to 3½ years with the final 12 months suspended.

    convicted, Brian Haig, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Haigvictim, 20s, female