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. 10070Defilement of a child · Co. Donegal

Donegal man in his 40s returned for trial on two defilement charges

A man in his 40s from County Donegal faces two charges of defilement of a child under 17, alleged to have occurred at a location in County Donegal, with the charges dating from 2023. The man cannot be named for legal reasons, and the child's age, sex and the incident date are not given in the reports. He was served with a book of evidence at Letterkenny District Court, where Judge Emile Daly ordered him returned for trial with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The latest development, reported on 15 April 2026, is that he has been returned for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court, and no sentence has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man in his 40s faces two charges of engaging in a sexual act with a child under the age of 17.
Where
The alleged offences took place at a location in County Donegal.
When
The charges date from 2023, and no specific incident date has been given.
Charges
The charges are contrary to section 3 (1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006.
Investigation
Garda Pauline Doherty met the accused by arrangement and served him with a book of evidence.
In court
  • The man appeared at Letterkenny District Court, where a book of evidence was served on him.
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the man being sent forward for trial.
  • Judge Emile Daly made an order returning the man for trial.
  • An alibi warning was administered and a section 56 order was made in relation to videos of interviews.
  • The case is listed for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Other details
  • The man was represented by solicitor Patsy Gallagher.
  • The man cannot be named for legal reasons.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged offences took place at a location in County Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe charges date from 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGarda Pauline Doherty met the accused by arrangement and served him with a book of evidence. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe man faces two charges of engaging in a sexual act with a child under the age of 17. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charges are contrary to section 3 (1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe man appeared at Letterkenny District Court, where a book of evidence was served on him. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions has consented to the man being sent forward for trial. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Emile Daly made an order returning the man for trial. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtAn alibi warning was administered and a section 56 order was made in relation to videos of interviews. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe man was represented by solicitor Patsy Gallagher. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Apr2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man (40s) faces Circuit Court trial on two defilement charges

    First report of the case. The man was served with a book of evidence at Letterkenny District Court and returned for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court. The article gives no specific incident date, only that the charges date from 2023.

    accused, 40s, male