Ireland Former sports coach pleads guilty to sexually assaulting four girls
James O'Reilly, 91, a retired painter and decorator from Co Wicklow and a former sports coach and Community Games organiser, has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four young girls he trained as a gymnastics instructor. The offences took place at the sports hall of St Mary's College in Arklow on dates unknown between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1994. He had originally pleaded not guilty to eight charges of indecent or sexual assault and one of attempted sexual assault, then was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to four counts on a full facts basis at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court, where the judge allowed him to be publicly named. On 5 February 2025 he was remanded on continuing bail to 29 April to fix a sentencing date, and the judge directed that victim impact statements be prepared.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Feb
- Convicted5 Feb
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James O'Reilly, 91, a former sports coach and Community Games organiser, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four young girls.
- Other details
- O'Reilly is a retired painter and decorator with an address at Fernhill in Arklow, Co Wicklow, and is confined to a wheelchair.
- The four victims were young females whom O'Reilly trained as a gymnastics instructor in the early 1990s.
- Where
- The offences took place at the sports hall of St Mary's College in Arklow.
- When
- The offences occurred on dates unknown between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1994, over 30 years ago.
- Charges
- O'Reilly originally pleaded not guilty when arraigned to eight charges of indecent or sexual assault and one charge of attempted sexual assault.
- In court
- A jury of seven women and five men was sworn in at Bray Courthouse before O'Reilly was re-arraigned.
- O'Reilly was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to four counts on a full facts basis at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sources differ on the plea: one version gives four counts of indecent or sexual assault, while the RTÉ text, cut off mid-sentence, refers to a single offence.
- The victims asked for the accused to be named after his guilty pleas, and the judge allowed him to be publicly identified.
- Sentence
- O'Reilly was remanded on continuing bail to 29 April to fix a date for sentencing.
- The judge directed that victim impact statements be prepared.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA former sports coach and Community Games organiser pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four young girls in Arklow. (rte.ie)
- whatJames O'Reilly is 91, a retired painter and decorator. (rte.ie)
- whatA former sports coach has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four young girls. (extra.ie)
- whereThe offences took place at the sports hall of St Mary's College in Arklow. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred on dates unknown between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1994. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offences happened over 30 years ago. (extra.ie)
- chargeO'Reilly had originally faced eight charges of indecent or sexual assault and one charge of attempted sexual assault. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- courtO'Reilly pleaded guilty to four counts on a full facts basis after re-arraignment. (rte.ie)
- courtVictims wanted the accused to be named after his guilty pleas, and the judge allowed him to be publicly identified. (rte.ie)
- sentenceO'Reilly was remanded on continuing bail to 29 April to fix a date for sentencing. (rte.ie)
- otherThe judge directed that victim impact statements be prepared. (rte.ie)
- otherThe man is 91 years old. (extra.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Feb2025Former sports coach, 91, pleads guilty to sexually assaulting four young girls over 30 years ago
Only the headline is available; the article text is template code. No location, court, date or sentence is given. No existing case matches.
accused, 91victim, female - 5 Feb2025Former sports coach pleads guilty to sexual assault
Reports O'Reilly's guilty plea to four counts of indecent or sexual assault on a full facts basis, the offence dates (1990 to 1994), the court, and that sentencing is adjourned to 29 April.
convicted, James O'Reilly, 91, male, named, irish (judged from name)James O'Reillyvictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, female