Sunday 1 November 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. 21421Indecent and sexual assault · Co. Waterford

Former sports coach on trial for indecent and sexual assault in Dublin

A 72-year-old Waterford man, a former sports coach, is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of 266 counts of indecently and sexually assaulting five boys in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny between 1978 and 1993. The five complainants, now men in their 40s and 50s, came into contact with the accused as boys and teenagers, including as a sports coach and family friend. He pleaded not guilty in April 2023, and evidence from all five complainants has been heard before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The prosecution alleges the accused tied boys up in the woods with twine and offered them money for sexual acts. The trial is ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Apr
    6 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A former sports coach is on trial accused of 266 counts of indecently and sexually assaulting five boys.
  • The five complainants are now men in their 40s and 50s, two of whom are brothers, and they came into contact with the accused as boys and teenagers as a sports coach and family friend.
  • The prosecution alleges the accused tied boys up in the woods using twine and offered them money for sexual acts.
Where
The alleged offences took place in locations in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny, including lay-bys, the beach, in the woods and at the accused's home.
When
The alleged offences took place on dates between 1978 and 1993.
Weapon
Twine was allegedly used to tie complainants up in the woods.
Charges
The accused is charged with 266 counts of indecent and sexual assault, including 39 counts against the first complainant.
In court
  • The accused pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
  • Paul Greene SC is prosecuting and John Peart SC is defending.
Other details
The accused is a 72-year-old Waterford man who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Investigation
The third complainant said he went to the local garda station the next day to report an incident, but agreed there are no records of the visit.
65 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA former sports coach has gone on trial accused of 266 counts of indecently and sexually assaulting five boys. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe complainants came into contact with the accused when they were boys and teenagers, including as a sports coach and a family friend. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe prosecution said inappropriate sexual contact took place between the accused and the boys. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe accused allegedly tied boys up in the woods to engage in sexual acts with them. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused allegedly offered the first complainant money to expose his penis when he was 13. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused allegedly tied the first complainant up in the woods using twine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThere are five complainants, who are now men in their 40s and 50s. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTwo of the complainants are brothers. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe second complainant said the accused began making sexual innuendos to him when he was around 12. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe second complainant said the accused offered him money for sexual acts. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused lent the second complainant the deposit for his house. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe third complainant said he was 14 when the accused gave him a match programme and money. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused has pleaded not guilty to 266 counts of indecently and sexually assaulting five boys. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe accused allegedly tied up boys in the woods to engage in sexual acts with them. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe first complainant, now aged 51, gave evidence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe accused has pleaded not guilty to counts of indecently and sexually assaulting five boys. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA former sports coach is accused of 266 counts of indecent and sexual assault. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place in locations in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assaults took place in locations in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged assaults took place in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged offences took place in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged assaults took place at lay-bys, the beach, in the woods and at the accused's home address. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offences took place in locations in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on dates between 1978 and 1993. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe events took place over four decades ago. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on dates between 1978 and 1993. (irishtimes.com, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe first complainant was 13 at the time of the first alleged incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged assaults took place on dates between 1978 and 1993. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe complainant said the accused was motivated by money and gifts. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • weaponThe complainant said he was tied up in the woods using twine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe third complainant said he went to the local garda station the next day to report the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe complainant agreed there are no records showing he visited the garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe charges are 266 counts of indecently and sexually assaulting the five boys. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with 266 counts of indecent and sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused faces 39 counts of indecent assault against the first complainant. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe trial resumes the next day before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe accused has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe first complainant, now 51, gave evidence in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. (irishtimes.com, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said the jury would hear evidence of inappropriate sexual contact between the accused and the boys. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is being heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (kilkennypeople.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • courtPaul Greene SC is prosecuting the case. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtJohn Peart SC is defending the accused. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe trial will continue on Monday before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPaul Greene SC prosecuted the case and gave the opening speech to the jury. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe five complainants are now men in their 50s and 40s. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe accused is a 72-year-old Waterford man who cannot be named for legal reasons. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe five complainants are now men in their 40s and 50s. (irishtimes.com, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe accused was a friend of the first complainant's father and a coach at a sports club in Waterford. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe complainant said the accused did it for the money and gifts. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe complainant denied the defence suggestion that he had stretched his ages. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe complainants came into contact with the accused as boys or teenagers, including as a sports coach and family friend. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA complainant said the accused would take him to a wooded area, tie him to a tree and squeeze his genitals. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA complainant said the accused threatened to burn him with a cigarette on one occasion. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA complainant said the incidents continued weekly until he was 15 and that he received money from the accused. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence suggested that a complainant had no involvement with the accused, and the complainant denied this. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused is a 72-year-old Waterford man. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution says inappropriate sexual contact took place between the accused and the boys. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe fifth complainant, now 56, said he joined a sports team coached by the accused at about age 12. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe fifth complainant said the man would take him to a wooden area, tie him to a tree, then squeeze his genitals and threaten him. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe fifth complainant said the incidents continued on a weekly basis until he was 15. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe fourth complainant, now 52, said he first met the accused when he started playing sports at about seven years old. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe fourth complainant said he was tied with twine in the accused's office on his ninth birthday. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defence suggested the fifth complainant made up the story about being tied up in the woods, which he rejected. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Apr2023
    In courtkilkennypeople.ie, follow-up
    Man tells trial he was tied to tree as a child and abused by former sports coach

    Trial report on the evidence of two complainants (aged 52 and 56). The article does not describe the other three complainants individually. The accused has pleaded not guilty.

    accused, 72, malevictim, 56, malevictim, 52, male
  2. 20 Apr2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Woods where Waterford sports coach took boys was ‘torture place’, court hears

    First report of the trial: it covers the State's case, the pleas, and evidence from the fourth and fifth complainants. The article does not give a single incident date.

    accused, 72, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, male
  3. 20 Apr2023
    In courtkilkennypeople.ie, follow-up
    Trial hears from first alleged victim in the trial of former sports coach from Waterford

    Reports the opening of the trial, the prosecution's opening speech, and evidence from the first complainant, now 51. The accused has pleaded not guilty and the trial is continuing.

    accused, 72, malevictim, 51, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, male
  4. 19 Apr2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Sports coach suggested complainant could pay off house loan by letting him watch sex with wife, court told

    Reports the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, including evidence from the second and third complainants, the prosecution's opening, and the defence cross-examination.

    accused, 72, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, male
  5. 18 Apr2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, its first report
    Sports coach would tie up boys up in woods to engage in sex acts, trial told

    Reports the opening of the trial and the first complainant's evidence, including that the accused tied boys up and offered money for sexual acts. The accused faces 39 counts against him in this trial, and the trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.

    accused, 72, malevictim, 51, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, malevictim, male
  6. 17 Apr2023
    In courtkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Former sports coach goes on trial for sexual assaulting boys at locations in Kilkenny, Waterford, and Cork

    Report on the opening of the trial. No existing case in the list matches this trial.

    accused, 72, malevictim, male