Ireland Case No. 20899Sexual assault · Co. Cork
Ex-Navy instructor put on probation over sexual assault of recruit
Derek Nagle (56), a former Naval Service member from Kilmona, Grenagh, Co Cork, sexually assaulted naval recruit Seana O'Connor, who waived her right to anonymity, at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork, on 1 March 2022. The assault took place at lunchtime in the male living accommodation at the base, where Nagle slapped her on the buttocks. Military police investigated after she reported the incident to a superior officer, and Nagle pleaded guilty earlier in 2023 to a single count of sexual assault under Section 2 of the Criminal Law Rape Amendment Act 1990. On 30 May 2023 at Cork District Court, Judge O'Leary put Nagle on a 12-month probation bond with a €300 bond of his own after a positive probation report, and he has since resigned from the Navy.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 May
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Derek Nagle (56), a former Naval Service member from Kilmona, Grenagh, Co Cork, was convicted of sexual assault of a female naval recruit.
- The recruit was Seana O'Connor, who waived her right to anonymity.
- During the assault Nagle pushed the recruit forward and slapped her forcefully on the left side of her buttocks.
- Nagle also winked at her and said she was lucky it was not 14 or 15 years earlier.
- Where
- The assault took place at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork, in the male living accommodation, described by the sources as the Billets room and as the Transit Room.
- When
- The assault took place at lunchtime on 1 March 2022.
- Cause
- Nagle could not explain why it happened.
- Investigation
- The recruit reported the incident to a superior officer on the same day, and military police investigated.
- Other details
- Other Naval Service recruits in the room witnessed the incident.
- Nagle resigned from the Navy after 37 years' service, and his barrister was instructed to apologise to the recruit.
- The Defence Forces said all reports of sexual misconduct will be referred to An Garda Síochána.
- Charges
- Nagle was charged with sexual assault under Section 2 of the Criminal Law Rape Amendment Act 1990 and pleaded guilty earlier in 2023 to a single count.
- In court
- The case was adjourned in February 2023 for a Probation Service report, and the recruit made a victim impact statement at Cork District Court on 28 February.
- In her victim impact statement the recruit said Nagle had broken her, and she was not in court for the sentencing hearing.
- Sentence
- On 30 May 2023 Judge Marion O'Leary (also spelled Marian in one source) put Nagle on a 12-month probation bond with his own €300 bond, ordering him to be of good behaviour and to remain under Probation Service supervision after a positive report.
39 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDerek Nagle, a former Naval Service member, was convicted of sexual assault of a female naval recruit. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe officer slapped the victim on the buttocks and pushed her forward during the assault. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDerek Nagle slapped the recruit forcefully on the buttocks. (rte.ie)
- whatDerek Nagle pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of Seana O’Connor. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatNagle slapped Ms O’Connor forcefully on the left side of her buttocks. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatNagle winked at Ms O’Connor and said she was lucky it was not 14 or 15 years earlier. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereThe assault happened at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident happened in the Transit Room at the Naval Service base at Haulbowline. (rte.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at Haulbowline Naval Base in Co Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereMs O’Connor was in the Billets room, the male living accommodation at the base. (corkbeo.ie)
- whenThe assault happened on 1 March 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on 1 March of last year. (rte.ie)
- whenThe assault took place at lunchtime on 1 March 2022. (corkbeo.ie)
- causeDerek Nagle could not explain why it happened. (rte.ie)
- investigationMilitary police were assigned to investigate after the victim reported the matter. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe recruit reported the incident. (rte.ie)
- investigationMilitary police conducted an investigation. (rte.ie)
- investigationAn investigation was launched by military police after Ms O’Connor reported the incident to a superior officer. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargeThe charge was sexual assault under Section 2 of the Criminal Law Rape Amendment Act 1990. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDerek Nagle pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual assault. (rte.ie)
- courtNagle pleaded guilty earlier this year. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe recruit said in a victim impact statement that Derek Nagle had broken her. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case in February for a Probation Service report on Derek Nagle. (rte.ie)
- courtMs O’Connor made a victim impact statement at Cork District Court on February 28th. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtThe sentencing had been adjourned from February to the day of this hearing. (corkbeo.ie)
- sentenceJudge Marion O’Leary put Nagle under a probation bond at Cork District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was ordered to be of good behaviour and to remain under Probation Service supervision for 12 months. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceDerek Nagle was put on a 12-month probation bond with his own bond of €300. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Marian O’Leary put Nagle on a 12-month probation bond. (corkbeo.ie)
- sentenceNagle was ordered to be of good behaviour and to comply with probation service directions for the 12 months. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherThe victim reported the incident to a higher superior officer on the day it happened. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNagle has resigned from the Navy. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOther Naval Service recruits in the room witnessed the incident. (rte.ie)
- otherDerek Nagle has resigned from the Navy. (rte.ie)
- otherThe recruit was not in court for the hearing. (rte.ie)
- otherHis barrister was instructed to apologise to the recruit. (rte.ie)
- otherThe Defence Forces said all reports of sexual misconduct will be referred to An Garda Síochána. (rte.ie)
- otherNagle resigned from the Navy following the assault. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherThe defence barrister said the probation report was positive and the judge agreed. (corkbeo.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 May2023Former Naval instructor sexually assaulted recruit at Cork's Haulbowline base
Reports the sentencing of Derek Nagle: a 12-month probation bond at Cork District Court, after his earlier guilty plea. Also gives the victim impact statement and the defence account.
convicted, Derek Nagle, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Naglevictim, Seana O'Connor, twenties, female, irish (judged from name)Seana O'Connor - 30 May2023Ex-Navy instructor put on probation over sexual assault
Incident dated only as 1 March of last year; the year is not stated. Adds the guilty plea, the 12-month probation bond on a €300 bond, the Probation Service report, and the Defence Forces statement.
convicted, Derek Nagle, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Naglevictim, Seana O'Connor, female, irish (judged from name)Seana O'Connor - 30 May2023Former Naval Service instructor put under probation bond over sexual assault of female recruit
Reports the outcome at Cork District Court: a 12-month probation bond with a €300 bond, supervision by the Probation Service, and a positive probation report. Adds the victim's impact statement, the defence account that he resigned from the Navy, and the offer of compensation.
convicted, Derek Nagle, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Naglevictim, Seana O'Connor, female, irish (judged from name)Seana O'Connor