Saturday 31 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. 20810Rape and sexual assault · Co. Galway

Galway man jailed for 11 years over rape and sexual assault of niece

A Galway man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, raped and sexually assaulted his niece, a woman who was aged between seven and 13 at the time of the offending in the west of Ireland between December 2008 and 2013. The offending came to light in 2017 when the victim disclosed the abuse to social care workers, and the accused was arrested and detained in December 2018. A jury at the Central Criminal Court found him guilty in April 2023 of two counts of rape, one count of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault. In June 2023 Ms Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced him to 11 years in prison, backdated to April 2023, and he must remain under post-release supervision for seven years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A Galway man was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting his niece.
Where
The offending took place in the west of Ireland.
When
The offending took place between December 2008 and 2013, when the victim was aged between seven and 13.
Cause
The accused had 12 previous convictions, including one for sexual assault for which he was sentenced to three years in prison.
Investigation
The offending came to light in 2017 when the victim disclosed the abuse to social care workers.
Charges
The accused was arrested and detained in December 2018.
In court
  • A jury at the Central Criminal Court found the accused guilty in April 2023 of two counts of rape, one count of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault.
  • Ms Justice Karen O'Connor passed sentence and highlighted the strength and courage shown by the victim in making the complaint.
Sentence
  • The accused was sentenced to 11 years in prison, backdated to April 2023 when he went into custody.
  • The accused must remain under post-release supervision for seven years.
Other details
The accused did not plead guilty and continues to deny any wrongdoing.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe offending took place in the west of Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offending took place between December 2008 and 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe accused had 12 previous convictions, including one for sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe offending came to light in 2017 when the victim disclosed the abuse to social care workers. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused was arrested and detained in December 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury found the accused guilty of rape, anal rape and sexual assault in April. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Karen O'Connor passed sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe accused was sentenced to 11 years in prison, backdated to when he went into custody in April 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe accused must remain under post-release supervision for seven years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused did not plead guilty and continues to deny any wrongdoing. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Jun2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Galway man jailed for 11 years over rape and sexual assault of niece

    Reports the sentencing of the accused, who was found guilty by a jury in April 2023 and sentenced by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor.

    convicted, malevictim, female