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. 8524Sexual assault and indecent assault · Co. Donegal

Falcarragh man convicted of 34 sex offences to be sentenced

Between 1981 and 1998, Neil Ferry, a 69-year-old man from Ballyness, Falcarragh, is alleged to have committed sexual and indecent offences against nine victims, all minors, at locations within Donegal. In February 2026, he was found guilty on 34 charges after an 11-day trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Judge John Aylmer adjourned sentencing to 28 July. As of the 21 July 2026 report, Ferry is due to be sentenced on Tuesday 28 July at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted21 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Neil Ferry was convicted of 34 sex offences, comprising 18 sexual assaults, 10 indecent assaults, five attempted indecent assaults and one attempted sexual assault.
Where
  • Ferry is from Ballyness, Falcarragh, County Donegal.
  • The offences took place at locations within Donegal.
When
The offences span dates between 1981 and 1998.
Other details
  • The victims were nine people, all minors, one of whom was as young as five.
  • The defence said Ferry maintains his innocence and does not accept the jury's verdict.
  • The defence said Ferry has a life-limiting pulmonary disease.
In court
  • Ferry was found guilty in an 11-day trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court in February 2026.
  • Judge John Aylmer adjourned sentencing until 28 July.
  • Various victim impact statements were read in court.
Investigation
Ferry was transported from Mountjoy Prison to attend court.
Sentence
Ferry is due to be sentenced on Tuesday 28 July at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereFerry is from Ballyness, Falcarragh. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at locations within Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offences span dates between 1981 and 1998. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeFerry was convicted of offences including 18 sexual assaults and 10 indecent assaults. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe 34 charges comprised 18 sexual assault, 10 indecent assault, five attempted indecent assault and one attempted sexual assault. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtFerry was found guilty in an 11-day trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court in February 2026. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge John Aylmer adjourned the sentencing until 28 July. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtVarious victim impact statements were read in court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceFerry is due to be sentenced on Tuesday 28 July at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe victims were all minors, one as young as five. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherFerry was transported from Mountjoy Prison to attend court. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defence said Ferry still maintains his innocence and does not accept the jury's verdict. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defence said Ferry has a life-limiting pulmonary disease. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Jul2026
    Convicteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Falcarragh man named as ‘predator’ to be sentenced for 34 sex offences

    Reports the February 2026 conviction, the 34 charges, the adjournment of sentencing to 28 July 2026 and the defence position that Ferry maintains his innocence. The offences are historic, spanning 1981 to 1998.

    convicted, Neil Ferry, 69, male, named, irish (judged from name)Neil Ferry