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. 3246Assault causing harm, false imprisonment, threats to kill · Co. Sligo · 18 Mar 2024

Developer and co-accused convicted of assaulting three boys at Sligo business park

Cathal O'Connor, 40, and Simon Cavanagh, 39, pleaded guilty at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting and falsely imprisoning three 13-year-old boys at the Northwest Business Park, Collooney, Sligo, on 18 March 2024, in an incident in which O'Connor held a saw to one boy's neck and choked him until he passed out. Sentencing was adjourned to 1 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted25 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatO'Connor threatened to kill the boy and choked him until he passed out (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAll three boys were 13 years of age when assaulted (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTwo youths who were not victims broke some windows and left (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe two accused dragged the boys inside the warehouse and took their phones (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boys suffered black eyes and scratches and bruises to their face, neck and chest (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe 13-year-old girl with the boys was unharmed but upset (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe 48-minute ordeal began around 4.30pm on 18 March 2024 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeSix other charges of threats to kill and false imprisonment were taken into consideration (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCavanagh pleaded guilty to three counts of false imprisonment (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSentencing was adjourned to 1 May 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • otherO'Connor intends paying each boy €35,000 in compensation (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCavanagh also apologised to the victims (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Apr2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Developer assaulted three boys in ‘traumatic’ Sligo business park incident, court hears

    Sentencing hearing at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court on 24 April 2026; O'Connor pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing harm and Cavanagh to three counts of false imprisonment; six further charges of threats to kill and false imprisonment taken into consideration; sentencing adjourned to 1 May 2026.

    convicted, 40, male, irish (judged from name)convicted, Simon Cavanagh, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon Cavanaghvictim, 13, malevictim, 13, malevictim, 13, malevictim, 13, female