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. 9466Sexual assault of a child · Co. Clare

Former HSE hospital porter jailed for sexual assault of child in Clare

Gerard Sheedy, a 65-year-old man from Quin, Co Clare, was a former HSE hospital porter who was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a girl aged 12 and 13 between January and May 2007. He pleaded not guilty, told gardaí the allegations were totally untrue, and was found guilty by a jury at Ennis Circuit Court in February. On 21 May 2026, Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 45-month prison term, back-dated to February, when Sheedy went into custody. The victim is now 32 years old, and the sentence is the latest development in the case.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gerard Sheedy, a 65-year-old man, was convicted of two sexual assaults on a girl.
Where
Gerard Sheedy is from Quin Gardens, Quin, Co Clare.
When
The offences took place on dates between January and May 2007.
Other details
  • The victim was aged 12 and 13 at the time of the offending, and the report describes her as a 12-year-old girl.
  • The victim is now 32 years old.
  • Sheedy was a former HSE hospital porter.
  • The judge said Sheedy was in a position of care and control over the child.
  • The judge described the digital penetration as a high level of degrading intrusion.
  • Sheedy voluntarily went into custody after the jury verdict, and his counsel said he is now a registered sex offender.
Investigation
In a Garda interview, Sheedy said the allegations were totally untrue.
Charges
Sheedy pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault.
In court
A jury found Sheedy guilty after a trial at Ennis Circuit Court in February.
Sentence
  • The sentence was imposed at Ennis Circuit Court on 21 May 2026 by Judge Francis Comerford.
  • The headline sentence was 52 months, reduced to 45 months after mitigation, with a concurrent 45-month term for each count.
  • The prison term was back-dated to February, when Sheedy went into custody.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereGerard Sheedy is from Quin Gardens, Quin, Co Clare. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on dates between January and May 2007. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationIn a Garda interview, Sheedy said the allegations were totally untrue. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeSheedy pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe sentence was imposed at Ennis Circuit Court by Judge Francis Comerford. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtA jury found Sheedy guilty after a trial at Ennis Circuit Court in February. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceA judge imposed a three year and nine month prison term on a 65-year-old Co Clare man for two sexual assaults on a 12-year-old girl 19 years ago. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe headline sentence was 52 months, reduced to 45 months after mitigation. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a concurrent 45-month term for each count. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe prison term was back-dated to February, when Sheedy went into custody. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherSheedy was a former HSE hospital porter. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherSheedy voluntarily went into custody after the jury verdict. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe victim was aged 12 and 13 at the time of the offending. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe victim is now 32 years old. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the digital penetration was a high level of degrading intrusion. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Sheedy was in a position of care and control over the child. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherSheedy's counsel said he is now a registered sex offender. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 May2026
    Sentencedclareecho.ie, first report
    Former HSE hospital porter receives 45 month prison term for sexual assault of child - Clare Echo

    Reports the sentencing of Gerard Sheedy at Ennis Circuit Court on 21 May 2026, after a jury convicted him in February. No existing case in the list matches this 2007 offence.

    convicted, Gerard Sheedy, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard Sheedyvictim, 32, female