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. 10751Attempted rape and sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Former judge Gerard O’Brien appeals sexual abuse conviction

Former circuit court judge Gerard O'Brien was working as a teacher at CBC Monkstown when offences occurred at locations in Dublin between March 1991 and November 1997, against men aged between 17 and 24. In 2023 he was convicted of one count of attempted rape and eight counts of sexual assault involving six victims. Judge Alexander Owens jailed him for four years in June 2024. O'Brien has appealed the conviction, arguing that the jury instructions were confusing and that separate trials should have been granted, and the State urged the Court of Appeal to uphold it. The three-judge Court of Appeal heard the appeal in March 2026 and reserved judgment.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Former circuit court judge Gerard O'Brien has appealed his conviction for sexual abuse.
  • The victims were six men, described as aged between 17 and 24.
Where
The offences occurred at locations in Dublin while O'Brien was working as a teacher at CBC Monkstown.
When
The offences occurred between March 1991 and November 1997.
Charges
  • In 2023 O'Brien was convicted of one count of attempted rape and eight counts of sexual assault involving six victims.
  • The key facts describe the attempted rape count as attempted anal rape, while the article says attempted rape.
In court
  • The appeal argues that the trial judge's instructions to the jury were confusing and weighted against the defence.
  • The defence argues the judge erred in refusing an application for separate trials.
  • The State urged the Court of Appeal to uphold O'Brien's conviction.
  • The three-judge Court of Appeal heard the appeal and reserved judgment.
Sentence
Judge Alexander Owens jailed O'Brien for four years in June 2024.
Other details
The article is dated 1 March 2026 in the article list, but the page shows 10 March 2026.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFormer circuit court judge Gerard O’Brien has appealed his conviction. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe offences occurred at locations in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereO’Brien was working as a teacher at CBC Monkstown when the offences occurred. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred between March 1991 and November 1997. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeO’Brien was convicted of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault involving six victims. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe appeal argues that the trial judge’s instructions to the jury were confusing and weighted against the defence. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe defence argues the judge erred in refusing an application for separate trials. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe three-judge Court of Appeal reserved judgment. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceO’Brien was jailed for four years in June 2024 by judge Alexander Owens. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe State urged the Court of Appeal to uphold O’Brien’s conviction. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Former judge Gerard O’Brien appeals sexual abuse conviction

    Reports the Court of Appeal hearing on O’Brien’s appeal against conviction, with the grounds of appeal and the State’s response. Judgment was reserved. The article adds that O’Brien was jailed for four years in June 2024.

    convicted, Gerard O'Brien, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard O'Brienvictim, between 17 and 24, male