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. 5709Sexual assault, indecent assault, oral rape · Co. Offaly · 21 Dec 1987

Defence Forces sergeant sentenced to seven years for sexual abuse of niece

Anthony Canning (74) was taken in for questioning in April 2021 over the sexual abuse of his wife's niece, Celine Daly, a woman, between December 21, 1987 and December 1993 at his home in Offaly. Ms Daly was between seven and 13 years old and Canning was between 37 and 43 during the offences. Canning initially denied the allegations but later admitted he had touched her, and was due to stand trial in February 2024 but pleaded guilty before a jury was selected at the Central Criminal Court. On June 10, 2024, Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced him to seven years in prison, from a headline sentence of 10 years.

  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
  • Canning pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault, three charges of sexual assault and one charge of oral rape.
  • The victim, Celine Daly, was between seven and 13 years old at the time of the offences.
  • Canning was between 37 and 43 years old during the abuse.
Where
The abuse took place in Canning's home.
When
The offences occurred on dates between December 21, 1987 and December 1993.
Investigation
Canning was taken in for questioning in April 2021.
Other details
  • Canning initially denied the allegations but later admitted he had touched the victim.
  • Canning had no previous convictions, spent his childhood in an orphanage, and served in the Defence Forces on four tours of duty in Lebanon.
  • The victim disclosed the abuse to a friend as a young teenager and wished to waive her anonymity so Canning could be named.
Charges
Canning was due to stand trial in February 2024 but pleaded guilty before a jury was selected.
In court
  • The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court.
  • Mr Justice Tony Hunt presided over the sentencing.
Sentence
Canning was sentenced to seven years in prison, from a headline sentence of 10 years.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCanning pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault, three charges of sexual assault and one charge of oral rape (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim was between seven and 13 years old at the time of the offences (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCanning was between 37 and 43 years old during the abuse (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe abuse took place in Canning's home (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences occurred on dates between December 21, 1987 and December 1993 (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCanning was taken in for questioning in April 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Tony Hunt presided over the sentencing (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCanning was sentenced to seven years in prison (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 10 years (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCanning had no previous convictions (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCanning spent his childhood in an orphanage (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCanning served in the Defence Forces and went on four tours of duty in Lebanon (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCanning initially denied the allegations but later admitted he had touched the victim (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCanning was due to stand trial in February 2024 but pleaded guilty before a jury was selected (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim disclosed the abuse to a friend as a young teenager (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim wished to waive her anonymity so Canning could be named (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jun2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Defence Forces non-commissioned officer given seven years for sexual abuse

    Reports the sentencing of Anthony Canning to seven years for sexual abuse of his niece, including details of the offences, the victim impact statement, and the judge's reasoning.

    victim, Celine Daly, female, irish (judged from name)Celine Dalyconvicted, Anthony Canning, 74, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Canning