Ireland Denis O'Donovan jailed for seven years for false imprisonment and sexual assault of a woman in Co Limerick
On the night of 17 January 2020, a woman was sexually assaulted in an isolated rural area of Co Limerick. Denis O'Donovan, 38, a father of one from Ballyryan, Donohill, Co Tipperary, was later charged, and DNA evidence was reported. A jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court found him guilty of false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault and assault causing harm after he pleaded not guilty to five offences in April 2024. On 7 June 2024 he was jailed for seven years with the final six months suspended and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced7 Jun
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- O'Donovan was convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman, with the verdict recorded as false imprisonment and sexual assault.
- O'Donovan drove the woman to an isolated lay-by, where he sexually assaulted her while choking her in his car.
- Where
- The woman's house was in an isolated rural area of Co Limerick.
- When
- The incident occurred on the night of 17 January 2020.
- Investigation
- O'Donovan was charged after forensic tests found his DNA in saliva discharge on clothing worn by the woman.
- Charges
- A jury found him guilty of one count of false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault causing harm.
- In court
- He pleaded not guilty to five criminal offences at his trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in April 2024.
- The jury failed to reach a verdict on one alleged sexual assault, while the Irish Times reported that he was acquitted of one count of sexual assault.
- Sentence
- On 7 June 2024 he was jailed for seven years with the final six months suspended.
- He was ordered to attend an alcohol rehab course.
- He was placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period, and the judge did not impose a post-release supervision order.
- He received a three-year suspended sentence for aggravated burglary.
- Other details
- O'Donovan had 39 previous convictions.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatO'Donovan was convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatO'Donovan drove the woman to an isolated lay-by where he sexually assaulted her while choking her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe woman's house was in an isolated rural area of Co Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on the night of 17 January 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences occurred on the night of January 17, 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationHe was charged after forensic tests found his DNA in saliva discharge on clothing worn by the woman. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe jury found him guilty of false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault and assault causing harm. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe pleaded not guilty to five criminal offences at his trial in April 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury failed to reach a verdict on one alleged sexual assault. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury found him guilty of one count of false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault causing harm. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe received a three-year suspended sentence for the aggravated burglary. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge ordered O'Donovan to attend an alcohol rehab course. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was jailed for seven years with the final six months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceO'Donovan was ordered to attend an alcohol rehab course. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge did not impose a post-release supervision order. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceO'Donovan was placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherO'Donovan had 39 previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Jun2024'Sexual predator' jailed for 7 years for imprisoning & sexually assaulting woman
Reports the sentencing of O'Donovan after a jury verdict at a trial in April. It gives the sentence, the offences he was convicted of, the court's comments and the victim's impact statement. It also reports that he was ordered to attend an alcohol rehab course and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
convicted, Denis O'Donovan, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Denis O'Donovanvictim, female - 7 Jun2024‘Dangerous sexual predator’ Denis O’Donovan jailed for 6½ years for kidnapping and sexually assaulting woman
Sentencing report. O'Donovan was convicted after a trial in April 2024 at which he pleaded not guilty to five offences; the jury acquitted him of one count of sexual assault. He was placed on the sex offenders register and ordered to attend an alcohol rehab course.
convicted, Denis O'Donovan, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Denis O'Donovanvictim, female