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. 6493Assault

Former GAA player arrested over alleged assault on boy at vacant property

A boy aged 12 was injured in an alleged assault at a vacant property in the southwest of the country in 2023, according to reports. He received hospital treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and gardaí examined the scene and took a statement from him. A man in his 40s, a former GAA player well known in GAA circles nationally, was arrested for questioning on a Monday in February 2024, about five months after the alleged assault, and was detained at a garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He was released without charge, and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested21 Feb
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The boy, aged 12, was in a vacant property when the alleged assault occurred.
  • The suspect is a man in his 40s who is a former GAA player.
Where
The alleged assault happened in the southwest of the country.
When
  • The alleged assault took place in 2023, about five months before the arrest.
  • The suspect was arrested on a Monday in February 2024, as reported on 21 February 2024.
Other details
  • The suspect is well known in GAA circles nationally.
  • The boy received hospital treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigation
  • The scene was examined at the time, a statement was taken from the boy, and a criminal investigation began immediately.
  • The man was arrested for questioning and detained at a garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
  • Gardaí put their findings to date to the man during questioning.
  • Gardaí appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
Charges
The man was released without charge, and a file is being prepared for the DPP.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe injured boy, aged 12, was in a vacant property when the alleged assault occurred. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged assault happened in the southwest of the country. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe suspect was detained on Monday, about five months after the alleged assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe scene was examined at the time and a statement was taken from the child. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe former GAA player was detained at a garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe suspect was released without charge and a file is being prepared for the DPP. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí appealed to anyone with information to come forward. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe boy received hospital treatment for serious but non-life threatening injuries. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe suspect is well known in GAA circles nationally. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Feb2024
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, first report
    Former GAA player arrested over alleged violent assault on boy at vacant property

    Reports the arrest on Monday, about five months after the alleged assault, and that the suspect was released without charge with a file being prepared for the DPP. Does not name the county or the suspect.

    suspect, 40s, malevictim, 12, male