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. 2538Rape · Co. Laois · 17 Jun 2020

Defence Forces member Alan O'Connor jailed for five years for rape of partner's friend in Portarlington

Alan O'Connor, 38, a member of the Defence Forces from Newbridge, Co Kildare, was sentenced to five and a half years (with six months suspended) at the Central Criminal Court for the rape of Siobhan Murphy, his partner's long-term friend, at a property in Portarlington, Co Laois, on 17 June 2020. He maintains his innocence and does not accept the jury's verdict.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatO'Connor has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO'Connor maintains his innocence and does not accept the verdict of the jury. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO'Connor is the sole earner in his home and his incarceration will greatly affect his family. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offence occurred at a property in Portarlington, Co Laois. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offence occurred on 17 June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Kerida Naidoo set a headline sentence of seven and a half years before considering mitigating factors. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP placed the offending in the sentencing parameters of seven to 10 years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtPatrick Gageby SC prosecuted and Fiona Murphy SC defended. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jan2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Member of Defence Forces jailed for rape of partner's friend

    Sentencing report: O'Connor received a headline sentence of seven and a half years, reduced to five and a half years with the final six months suspended for two years. The victim, Siobhan Murphy, waived anonymity and read a victim impact statement. O'Connor, a Defence Forces member for nearly 19 years, maintains his innocence and recently had surgery to remove a pancreatic tumour.

    victim, Siobhan Murphy, female, irish (judged from name)Siobhan Murphyconvicted, Alan O'Connor, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan O'Connor