Thursday 29 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. 8685Rape and indecent assault · Co. Donegal

Derry man jailed for 10 years over abuse of child in Donegal

Seamus O'Hara (78), a Derry man, was convicted by a jury in March 2026 of one count of rape and 35 counts of indecent assault against the child of a family friend. The offences were committed in Donegal between 1976 and 1983, when the victim was aged six to 12. The abuse came to light when the victim told a doctor, and O'Hara, who was living in Northern Ireland, surrendered to gardaí. On 8 July 2026 Mr Justice Paul Burns sentenced O'Hara in the Central Criminal Court to concurrent sentences totalling 10 years, taking account of his age, health and work history; O'Hara does not accept the verdicts.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Seamus O'Hara, 78, was convicted of sexually abusing the child of a family friend.
  • The victim, now a woman, was a child aged between six and 12 at the time of the abuse.
  • The court heard that O'Hara engaged in grooming-type behaviour and a prolonged, orchestrated campaign of sexual abuse.
Where
The abuse took place during overnight stays at O'Hara's home in Co Donegal, which the sources describe as his former family home or his then home.
When
The offences were committed on dates between 1976 and 1983, when O'Hara was 29 at the start of the abuse.
Investigation
  • The abuse came to light when the victim told a doctor what had happened.
  • O'Hara was living in Northern Ireland and ultimately surrendered to gardaí.
Charges
A jury convicted O'Hara in March 2026 of one count of rape and 35 counts of indecent assault.
In court
Mr Justice Paul Burns presided at the sentencing in the Central Criminal Court, reported on 8 July 2026.
Sentence
Mr Justice Burns sentenced O'Hara to concurrent sentences totalling 10 years' imprisonment.
Other details
  • O'Hara does not accept the jury's verdicts and said 'Shame on you' to the victim before sentencing.
  • O'Hara has four previous convictions in Ireland.
  • In mitigation, the judge took into account O'Hara's age, health and work history.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSeamus O’Hara was convicted of sexually abusing the child of a family friend. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe child was aged between six and 12 at the time, and O’Hara was 29 when the abuse began. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe court heard that O’Hara engaged in grooming-type behaviour with the young girl. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe abuse happened at O’Hara’s former family home in Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe sexual abuse occurred during overnight stays at O’Hara’s then home in Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offences were committed on dates between 1976 and 1983. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe abuse came to light when the victim told a doctor what had happened. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationO’Hara was living in Northern Ireland and ultimately surrendered to gardaí. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeA jury convicted O’Hara in March 2026 of one count of rape and 35 counts of indecent assault. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Paul Burns presided at the sentencing in the Central Criminal Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceMr Justice Burns sentenced O’Hara to concurrent sentences totalling 10 years imprisonment. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherO’Hara does not accept the jury’s verdicts. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherO’Hara has four previous convictions in Ireland. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherIn mitigation, the judge took into account O’Hara’s age, health and work history. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Jul2026
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Derry man convicted of sexually abusing child of a family friend in Donegal

    Reports the Central Criminal Court sentencing of O’Hara to concurrent sentences totalling 10 years, the victim impact statement, and the defence submissions on age and health.

    convicted, Seamus O'Hara, 78, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seamus O'Haravictim, female