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. 1532Sexual assault · Co. Donegal

Cousin Joseph McGinty jailed for 15 months for sexually assaulting 10-year-old Louise McMenamin in Ballyshannon

Joseph McGinty, 27, of Ballyshannon, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and placed on the sex offender's register for five years after a jury at Donegal Circuit Court found him guilty of sexually assaulting his cousin Louise McMenamin, then 10, during a sleepover at her home in Ballyshannon between June and September 2012. McGinty, then 14, was alleged to have sneaked into the girl's room and touched her on the bottom beneath her nightdress and her breast area. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge. Judge John Aylmer said he would have imposed three years had the offender been an adult. The victim, now 23, waived her anonymity and said she would not let the assault define her.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
McGinty, then 14, was alleged to have sneaked into the victim's room during a sleepover and touched her on the bottom beneath her nightdress and her breast area.
Where
The assault took place at the victim's home in Ballyshannon, Donegal.
When
The assault occurred on an unknown date between June 1st and September 1st, 2012.
Investigation
The girl told her father what had happened, he took her to her mother, and a complaint was subsequently made.
In court
McGinty pleaded not guilty and was found guilty by a jury after a three-day trial at Donegal Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer.
Sentence
McGinty was sentenced to 15 months in prison and placed on the sex offender's register for five years; the judge said he would have imposed three years had the offender been an adult.
Other details
  • McGinty had no previous convictions and made no admission of guilt or expression of remorse.
  • The victim, Louise McMenamin, waived her anonymity and has spent years in therapy with CAMHS and the Rape Crisis Centre; she is now graduating from university.
  • McGinty qualified as a civil engineer, and his mother told the court he had nightmares, was prescribed anti-depressant medication, and developed severe eczema.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victim was 10 years old and the accused was 14 at the time of the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMcGinty sneaked into the girl's room and touched her on the bottom beneath her nightdress and then touched her breast area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAfter the girl woke up, McGinty hid behind the bed and she could hear him breathing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place during a sleepover at the victim's home in Ballyshannon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assault occurred on an unknown date between June 1st and September 1st, 2012. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe girl told her father what had happened and he took her to her mother, after which a complaint was made. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetails of the incident were given at the sentencing hearing by Garda Catherine Henry of Ballyshannon Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial took place over three days at Donegal Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMcGinty had pleaded not guilty to the charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge John Aylmer passed the sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said he would have imposed three years if the offender had been an adult. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMcGinty was sentenced to 15 months in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMcGinty was placed on the sex offender's register for five years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcGinty had no previous convictions and no adverse attention since the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThere was no admission of guilt or expression of remorse from McGinty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim has spent years in therapy with CAMHS and the Rape Crisis Centre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim is now graduating from university. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcGinty qualified as a civil engineer. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim waived her anonymity so McGinty could be named in court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcGinty's mother told the court her son had nightmares, was prescribed anti-depressant medication, and developed severe eczema. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jun2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Sleepover horror: Cousin who sexually assaulted girl jailed as victim speaks out

    Reports the sentencing of Joseph McGinty, the victim's full impact statement, the judge's reasoning for the 15-month sentence, and details of the three-day trial at Donegal Circuit Court.

    victim, Louise McMenamin, 23, female, irish (judged from name)Louise McMenaminconvicted, Joseph McGinty, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph McGinty