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. 4908Rape · Co. Dublin

Dublin man jailed for nine years over abuse of partner's niece

John Dempsey snr, 73, was jailed for nine years at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to seven counts of raping his partner's niece, Lillian Byrne, in Dublin between 1980 and 1991, when she was a child. The judge set a headline sentence of 14 years, reduced it to 10, and suspended the final year.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDempsey pleaded guilty to seven counts of raping the victim. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences took place at various locations in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe rapes occurred on dates between 1980 and 1991. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenGrooming of the victim began when she was 12 years old. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe victim made a statement to gardaí about the abuse in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 14 years and reduced it to 10 years after mitigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe final year of the sentence was suspended on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceDempsey must place himself under Probation Service supervision for three years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceDempsey was jailed for nine years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDempsey has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Oct2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man who abused partner’s niece in ‘despicable manner’ jailed for 9 years

    Court sentencing report. Gives the sentence, the guilty plea, the period of offending (1980 to 1991), the victim's impact statement, and the judge's remarks. The victim waived anonymity. Abuse began when she was 12.

    convicted, John Dempsey snr, 73, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Dempsey snrvictim, Lillian Byrne, female, irish (judged from name)Lillian Byrne