Saturday 31 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. 20271Rape · Co. Roscommon

Court of Appeal quashes Stephen Lynch rape conviction and orders retrial

Stephen Lynch, a man, was accused of raping his then partner's teenage sister at a house at Monksfield, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Co Roscommon, between 17 and 18 October 2015. A jury convicted him in May 2021 of one count of rape, along with sexual assault and assault causing harm at the same address, and he had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The conviction was challenged over jurors' complaint that a person associated with the defence appeared to be photographing them and over a redacted part of his garda interview. On 20 July 2023 the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Stephen Lynch, a man, was accused of raping his then partner's teenage sister.
  • In May 2021 a jury convicted Lynch of one count of rape.
  • Lynch was also convicted of sexual assault and assault causing harm at the same address.
Where
The alleged offences took place at a house at Monksfield, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Co Roscommon.
When
The rape was alleged to have happened between 17 and 18 October 2015, after the victim came to see the new-born baby.
Charges
Lynch pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Cause
Jurors told their jury minder that a person associated with the defence appeared to be taking photographs of them.
Investigation
Gardaí retrieved a suspect phone but no photos were found on it.
In court
  • Part of Lynch's garda interview was redacted because the prosecution said it amounted to expert opinion.
  • The Court of Appeal said the jury concern and the edited interview together raised concerns about the fairness of the trial.
Sentence
On 20 July 2023 the Court of Appeal quashed the 2021 conviction and ordered a retrial.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatStephen Lynch was convicted by a jury in May 2021 of one count of rape. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatLynch was also convicted of sexual assault and assault causing harm at the same address. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe rape offence was alleged to have happened at a house at Monksfield, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Co Roscommon. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe rape was alleged to have happened between 17 and 18 October 2015. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeJurors complained to their jury minder that a person associated with the defence appeared to be taking photographs of them. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí retrieved a suspect phone but no photos were found. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeLynch pleaded not guilty to all charges. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtPart of Lynch's garda interview was redacted because the prosecution said it amounted to expert opinion. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal said the jury concern and the edited interview together raised concerns about the fairness of the trial. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Jul2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Rape conviction quashed in case where jury members believed they were being photographed

    Reports the Court of Appeal's decision to quash the 2021 conviction and order a retrial, and explains the jury photography concern and the redacted interview evidence.

    convicted, Stephen Lynch, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Lynchvictim, 15, femalevictim, female