Ireland Case No. 6917Indecent assault · Co. Offaly
Ex-priest jailed for indecent assault of woman in Offaly
Joe Dunne, an 81-year-old former priest from Co Offaly, indecently assaulted a young woman on several occasions between January and December 1989 while driving her to the Rape Crisis Centre after befriending her in hospital. The case came to light in 2019 when gardaí found letters the woman had written to her bishop, and Dunne pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault. In March 2023 the Central Criminal Court sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, wholly suspended, but in December 2023 the Court of Appeal overturned that and imposed a two-year jail term.
- Reported11 Mar
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced10 Mar
8 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Joe Dunne, a former priest, indecently assaulted a young woman on several occasions while driving her to the Rape Crisis Centre.
- Dunne befriended the woman in hospital while aware she was highly vulnerable and had previously been abused by another person.
- Where
- The assaults took place during trips to the Rape Crisis Centre; Dunne is from Ballycrystal, Geashill, Co Offaly.
- When
- The assaults occurred between January and December 1989.
- Investigation
- The case came to light in 2019 when gardaí found letters the woman had written to her bishop during a separate investigation.
- Charges
- Dunne pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault of a young woman.
- In court
- The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, with Conor Devally SC prosecuting.
- In December 2023 the Court of Appeal overturned the fully suspended sentence, set a headline sentence of six years, discounted two years for the guilty pleas and personal circumstances, and suspended a further two years, leaving a two-year jail term.
- Sentence
- In March 2023 Dunne was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, wholly suspended on strict conditions including attendance with the Probation Service and offence-focused work.
- Other details
- Dunne is 81 (reports also give 82), is the sole carer for his 94-year-old sister, is hard of hearing, and has mobility difficulties.
- Dunne had no previous convictions and had been in ministry in Scotland before returning to Ireland.
85 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDunne indecently assaulted the young woman on a number of occasions in 1989 (thejournal.ie)
- whatDunne pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault (thejournal.ie)
- whatDunne has no previous convictions (thejournal.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe case came to light in a 2019 investigation when gardaí found letters the woman had written to her bishop (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe woman had previously been abused by another person and spent time in hospital (thejournal.ie)
- whatDunne befriended the woman in hospital and offered to drive her to the Rape Crisis Centre (thejournal.ie)
- whatDunne asked the woman for forgiveness and then assaulted her again in the car (thejournal.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDunne emigrated and was in ministry in Scotland for some time (thejournal.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDunne was arrested and interviewed during the 2019 investigation (thejournal.ie)
- whatDunne has been removed from ministry (thejournal.ie, offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatDunne has medical issues, is on a range of medications, is hard of hearing and has mobility difficulties (thejournal.ie)
- whatDunne is the sole carer for his 94-year-old sister who is fully dependent on him (thejournal.ie)
- whatDunne befriended the woman in hospital while aware she was highly vulnerable and offered to drive her to the Rape Crisis Centre (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe woman had previously been abused by another person (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatJoe Dunne is 81 years old (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDunne is a former Offaly priest (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDunne indecently assaulted the young woman on a number of occasions (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDunne befriended the woman in hospital while aware she was highly vulnerable (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDunne offered to drive the woman to the Rape Crisis Centre for counselling (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDunne emigrated and was in ministry in Scotland (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDunne sought the woman's forgiveness before assaulting her again (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatA former priest sexually abused a woman. (extra.ie)
- whatJoe Dunne pleaded guilty to five counts of indecently assaulting a young woman between January and December 1989. (thejournal.ie)
- whatDunne befriended the victim in hospital while aware she was highly vulnerable. (thejournal.ie)
- whatDuring several trips to the Rape Crisis Centre, Dunne indecently assaulted the victim. (thejournal.ie)
- whatJoe Dunne pleaded guilty to five counts of indecently assaulting a young woman. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatDunne indecently assaulted the woman during several trips to the Rape Crisis Centre. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatA former priest sexually abused a young woman while driving her to the Rape Crisis Centre for counselling. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDunne offered to drive the woman to the Rape Crisis Centre, and he indecently assaulted her during several trips. (irishtimes.com)
- whereDunne is from Ballycrystal, Geashill, Co Offaly (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe assaults took place during trips to the Rape Crisis Centre (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe abuse occurred while the priest was driving the woman to a Rape Crisis Centre. (extra.ie)
- whereThe assaults occurred during several trips to the Rape Crisis Centre. (kildarenow.com)
- whereDunne is of Ballycrystal, Geashill, Co Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe abuse happened in remote and secluded locations and involved considerable violence. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assaults took place between January and December 1989. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe case came to light in 2019 when gardaí found letters the woman had written to her bishop about Dunne (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe case came to light in a separate 2019 investigation when gardaí found letters the woman had written to her bishop (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe case came to light after a separate investigation in 2019 when gardaí came across letters the victim had written to her bishop. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe case came to light in a separate 2019 investigation after the woman's letters to her bishop were found. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationDunne was arrested and interviewed during the later investigation. (kildarenow.com, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe case came to light through a separate investigation in 2019 after gardaí found letters the woman had written to her bishop. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe case came to light in a separate 2019 investigation when gardaí found letters the woman had written to her bishop about Dunne. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJoe Dunne pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault of a young woman in 1989 (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeDunne pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault in 1989 (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeDunne pleaded guilty to five counts of indecently assaulting a young woman between January and December 1989. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court (thejournal.ie, offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul McDermott presided over the sentencing (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge described the circumstances as extremely aggravating and said it was shocking (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with Conor Devally SC prosecuting (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge noted the circumstances of the case were extremely aggravating (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtIn March 2023 at the Central Criminal Court, Dunne was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, wholly suspended. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal said it was not proper and appropriate to wholly suspend the sentence. (thejournal.ie, leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtIn March 2023 the Central Criminal Court sentenced Dunne to four years' imprisonment, wholly suspended. (kildarenow.com)
- courtIn March 2023 Dunne was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, wholly suspended. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal overturned the fully suspended sentence and Dunne was jailed. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe three-judge Court of Appeal was satisfied the case merited a custodial sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge sentenced Dunne to four years' imprisonment (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceConditions include attending with the Probation Service and undertaking offence focused work (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe entire four-year sentence was suspended on strict conditions including attendance with the Probation Service and offence-focused work (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMr Justice Paul McDermott set a sentence of four years imprisonment (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge suspended the entire four-year sentence on strict conditions (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a four-year prison sentence (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe entire four-year sentence was suspended (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceDunne's fully suspended sentence was overturned by the Court of Appeal and he was jailed. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceOn re-sentencing, a headline sentence of six years was set, with two years discounted for the guilty pleas and Dunne's personal circumstances. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceA further two years of the sentence was suspended, leaving Dunne with a two-year jail term to be served. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal set a headline sentence of six years and discounted two years. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceA further two years of the sentence was suspended for two years, leaving a two-year jail term to be served. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceA headline sentence of six years was set, with two years discounted for the guilty pleas and Dunne's personal circumstances. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceTwo years of the sentence were suspended, leaving a two-year jail term to be served. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceIn March 2023 Dunne was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, wholly suspended, by Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceOn resentencing, a headline sentence of six years was set and two years were discounted for the guilty pleas and Dunne's personal circumstances. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceTwo years of the sentence were suspended for two years, leaving a two-year jail term to be served. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGarda Darren Hughes told Conor Devally SC, who was prosecuting (thejournal.ie)
- otherDunne is the sole carer for his 94-year-old sister (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherDunne is hard of hearing and has mobility difficulties (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe suspended sentence included conditions to attend with the Probation Service and undertake offence-focused work (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe case came to light in 2019 when gardaí found letters the woman had written to her bishop (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherDunne had no previous convictions (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherDunne had been in ministry in Scotland before returning to Ireland (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherDunne was hard of hearing and had mobility difficulties (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherDunne sought the woman's forgiveness and then assaulted her again in the car (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherDunne is the sole carer for his elderly sister. (kildarenow.com)
- otherDunne had no previous convictions at the time of his guilty pleas. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Dec2023Ex-priest’s fully suspended sentence for violent sexual assaults of vulnerable woman is overturned
Article reports the Court of Appeal resentencing: wholly suspended four-year sentence (March 2023) overturned, with a two-year jail term to be served.
convicted, Joe Dunne, 82, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Dunnevictim, female - 18 Dec2023Ex-priest's fully suspended sentence for violent sexual assaults of vulnerable woman is overturned
Reports that the Court of Appeal overturned the fully suspended sentence imposed in March 2023 and that Dunne will serve a two-year jail term. Adds the appeal court's reasoning, the six-year headline sentence and the 2019 investigation.
convicted, Joe Dunne, 82, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Dunnevictim, female - 18 Dec2023Ex Midlands priest who sexually abused a young woman as he drove her to the Rape Crisis Centre is jailed
The Court of Appeal overturned the wholly suspended four-year sentence from March 2023, set a six-year headline sentence, discounted two years, and imposed a two-year jail term with a further two years suspended.
convicted, Joe Dunne, 82, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Dunnevictim, female - 18 Dec2023Ex-priest's fully-suspended sentence for violent sexual assaults is overturned
Reports the Court of Appeal ruling that overturned the fully suspended sentence, the re-sentencing to a headline six years with a two-year jail term to be served, and the court's reasons, including the victim's vulnerability and the effect on Dunne's elderly sister.
victim, femaleconvicted, Joe Dunne, 82, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Dunne - 11 Mar2023Former priest sexually abused woman as he drove her to Rape Crisis Centre
Initial report of the incident; no further details, names, or court information provided in the available text.
suspect, malevictim, female - 10 Mar2023No jail for midlands priest guilty of sexually abusing young woman on way to Rape Crisis Centre
Reports the initial sentencing at the Central Criminal Court in March 2023, where Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a four-year sentence but suspended it entirely due to Dunne being the sole carer for his elderly sister, with conditions including attendance with the Probation Service and offence-focused work.
victim, femaleaccused, Joe Dunne, 81, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Dunne - 10 Mar2023Former Offaly priest avoids jail after sexually abusing a young woman
Provides full details of the original sentencing at the Central Criminal Court, including the judge's reasoning for suspending the sentence, the victim's impact statement, and background on how the case came to light in 2019.
victim, femaleconvicted, Joe Dunne, 81, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Dunne - 10 Mar2023Former Offaly priest who sexually abused young woman as he drove her to the Rape Crisis Centre avoids jail
Reports the initial sentencing at the Central Criminal Court on 10 March 2023, where Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a four-year prison sentence that was fully suspended on strict conditions due to Dunne being the sole carer for his 94-year-old sister.
victim, femaleconvicted, Joe Dunne, 81, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Dunne - 10 Mar2023Former priest who sexually abused young woman avoids jail term as he cares for older sister
Reports the original sentencing at the Central Criminal Court where the four-year sentence was suspended due to Dunne's role as sole carer for his elderly sister; this suspended sentence was later overturned and replaced with a two-year jail term.
victim, femaleconvicted, Joe Dunne, 81, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Dunne