Court of Appeal upholds conviction of Paul Kelly for raping and sexually abusing younger brother in Co Kerry
Paul Kelly, 47, of Shronedraugh, Headford, Killarney, Co Kerry, was convicted of raping and sexually abusing his younger brother Anthony Kelly, who was between 10 and 14, at the family home between 1995 and 1999. Anthony came forward in 2021, and at a trial in November 2024 Kelly was found guilty of 12 sample counts of sexual assault, two counts of oral rape and 12 counts of anal rape, and was sentenced to seven and a half years by Ms Justice Melanie Greally. Kelly launched an appeal in May 2026, arguing that a witness's use of the present perfect continuous tense was inconsistent with the evidence that the abuse had ended. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in July 2026, finding no material inconsistencies in the witness evidence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted24 Jul
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul Kelly, 47, of Shronedraugh, Headford, Killarney, Co Kerry, was convicted of raping and sexually abusing his younger brother Anthony Kelly at the family home between 1995 and 1999.
- Paul was 16 when the abuse began and 20 when it ended, while Anthony was between 10 and 14.
- The abuse included simulated sex at least three times a week for about a year and a half, oral sex in 1997, and anal rape once or twice a week between 1997 and 1999.
- Cause
- The abuse ended in 1999 when Paul Kelly began a relationship.
- When
- Anthony Kelly came forward to make a complaint in 2021.
- Charges
- Kelly was convicted of 12 sample counts of sexual assault, two counts of oral rape and 12 counts of anal rape.
- In court
- The trial took place in November 2024.
- The Court of Appeal dismissed Kelly's appeal in July 2026, rejecting the defence argument about the present perfect continuous tense and finding no material inconsistencies in the witness evidence.
- Sentence
- Ms Justice Melanie Greally sentenced Kelly to seven and a half years.
- Other details
- Anthony Kelly waived his right to anonymity to allow his older brother to be named.
- Counsel for Paul Kelly was James Dwyer SC.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKelly was 16 when he began abusing his brother and 20 when he stopped. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAnthony Kelly was between 10 and 14 years old at the time of the abuse. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe boys shared a bedroom. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPaul made Anthony lie face down and simulated sex on him at least three times a week for about a year and a half. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn 1997 Paul forced Anthony to perform oral sex on him. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPaul anally raped Anthony once or twice a week between 1997 and 1999. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAnthony said the abuse left him living with flashbacks, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and he used alcohol and drugs to numb the pain. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe defence argued that a witness's use of the present perfect continuous tense was inconsistent with the evidence that the abuse had ended. (irishmirror.ie)
- wherePaul Kelly is from Shronedraugh, Headford, Killarney, Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place at the family home. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe abuse occurred on dates between 1995 and 1999. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAnthony came forward to make a complaint in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe appeal was launched in May 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe abuse ended in 1999 when Paul Kelly began a relationship. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of 12 sample counts of sexual assault, two counts of oral rape and 12 counts of anal rape. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal against conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial took place in November 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe was jailed for seven and a half years by Ms Justice Melanie Greally. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAnthony Kelly waived his right to anonymity to allow his older brother to be named. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCounsel for Paul Kelly was James Dwyer SC. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Jul2026Court rejects appeal argument from Kerry man who raped younger brother for years
Court of Appeal judgment dismissing Paul Kelly's appeal against conviction, rejecting the 'present perfect continuous tense' argument and finding no material inconsistencies in witness evidence.
victim, Anthony Kelly, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Kellyconvicted, Paul Kelly, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Kelly