Ireland Donegal man convicted of seven counts of sexual assault
Martin Joseph, known as 'Joe', Cullen, 63, a former scout leader and delivery driver from Colehill, Newtowncunningham, was found guilty by a jury at Letterkenny Circuit Court on 30 July 2025 of seven counts of sexual assault on five boys. The assaults occurred on various dates between 1993 and 2007 at locations in County Donegal, with some complainants saying they were between eight and 13 years old when shown pornography on an old Nokia phone. Cullen was first arrested at his home in December 2017 after one victim made an official complaint to Gardaí that year, and he pleaded not guilty at arraignment. The jury of six men and six women deliberated for one hour and 38 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on all seven counts. Judge Roderick Maguire remanded Cullen in custody for sentencing at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court in October.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted30 Jul
2 reports - Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cullen was found guilty of seven counts of sexual assault on five boys.
- Some complainants said they were between eight and 13 years old when shown pornography on an old Nokia phone, and one alleged he was about seven or eight.
- Where
- The assaults took place at locations in County Donegal.
- When
- The assaults occurred on various dates between 1993 and 2007.
- Investigation
- Cullen was first arrested at his home in December 2017 after one victim made an official complaint to Gardaí that year.
- Charges
- All seven charges were contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990 as amended by section 37 of the Sexual Offenders Act, 2001.
- In court
- The trial lasted five days at Letterkenny Circuit Court, where a jury of six men and six women found Cullen guilty on all seven counts after one hour and 38 minutes of deliberation.
- Cullen had pleaded not guilty when arraigned.
- Sentence
- Judge Roderick Maguire remanded Cullen in custody for sentencing until the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court in October.
- Other details
- Cullen was a former scout leader and delivery driver from Colehill, Newtowncunningham, and the assaults were not during the course of his role as a scout leader.
31 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSome complainants said they were between eight and 13 years old when shown pornography on an old Nokia phone (donegallive.ie)
- whatCullen was found guilty of seven counts of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe assaults took place at locations in County Donegal (donegallive.ie)
- whereCullen is from Colehill, Newtowncunningham. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assaults occurred on various dates between 1993 and 2007 (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incidents occurred on various dates between 1993 and 2007. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenOne victim made an official complaint to Gardaí in 2017. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCullen was first arrested at his home in December 2017 (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation was conducted by Detective Garda Bobby Carey and Detective Garda Eoin Waters (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOne complainant made an official complaint to Gardaí in 2017 (donegallive.ie)
- chargeAll seven charges were contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990 as amended by section 37 of the Sexual Offenders Act, 2001 (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial lasted five days at Letterkenny Circuit Court (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury of six men and six women found him guilty on all seven counts (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe jury deliberated for exactly one hour and 38 minutes (donegallive.ie)
- courtCullen had pleaded not guilty when arraigned (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Roderick Maguire remanded Cullen in custody for sentencing until the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court in October (donegallive.ie)
- courtLegal aid was extended to allow for a psychological and psychiatric report on the accused (donegallive.ie)
- courtA jury of six men and six women deliberated for under two hours. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCullen pleaded not guilty when arraigned. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Roderick Maguire read his charge to the jury. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCullen was remanded in custody for sentencing until the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court in October. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge extended the legal aid certificate for a psychological and psychiatric report on the accused. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCullen's barrister was Mr James McGowan SC with Peter Nolan BL, instructed by solicitor Mr Donough Cleary. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCounsel for the state was Ms Fiona Crawford BL. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtRetired Garda John Harkin testified about his attendance at the accused's address and photographs from the site. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCullen was a former scout leader from Colehill, Newtowncunningham (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe assaults were not during the course of his role as a scout leader (donegallive.ie)
- otherCullen denied that anything had happened with any of the complainants during all interviews (donegallive.ie)
- otherCullen was a former delivery driver. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherOne complainant alleged he was about seven or eight years old when the incident occurred. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSome complainants were between eight and 13 years old when shown pornography on an old Nokia phone. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Jul2025Emotional scenes as man found guilty of abuse of five boys after five-day trial
Reports the guilty verdict on all seven counts after a five-day trial, details of the jury deliberation, witness testimony from victims and family members, and the remand for sentencing.
convicted, 63, male, irish (judged from name)victim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, male - 30 Jul2025Donegal man convicted of sexually abusing five boys over 14-year period
Reports the guilty verdict on all seven counts after a five-day trial, details of the jury deliberation (1 hour 38 minutes), the nature of the offences, and Cullen's remand in custody for sentencing in October.
convicted, 63, male, irish (judged from name)victim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, male