Ireland Garda sergeant challenges dismissal in High Court after sexual assault conviction
On 2 March 2020, Garda Sgt Cathal Middleton, a 42-year-old man, got into the bed of a sleeping woman at an address in Lucan after a night out, and she alleged that the outside of his right thigh touched her fully clothed buttock. He denied the charge, but in October 2022 he was found guilty at Blanchardstown District Court of one count of sexual assault and was jailed for five months, and he has appealed the conviction. The Garda Commissioner proposed to summarily dismiss him from An Garda Síochána, and in April 2023 he launched a High Court judicial review to prevent that dismissal. The High Court judge gave him permission to bring the challenge and the matter was adjourned.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court17 Apr
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sgt Cathal Middleton, a 42-year-old Garda sergeant, was convicted of sexually assaulting a young woman.
- The woman was asleep when Sgt Middleton got into her bed after a night out with her friends.
- The woman alleged that the outside of his right thigh touched her fully clothed buttock.
- Where
- The incident happened at an address in Lucan, County Dublin.
- When
- The incident happened on 2 March 2020.
- Charges
- Sgt Middleton was charged with one count of sexual assault contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act 1990, as amended.
- In court
- Sgt Middleton denied the charge.
- In October 2022 he was found guilty at Blanchardstown District Court of one count of sexual assault.
- He has appealed the conviction.
- In April 2023 he launched a High Court judicial review, claiming the proposal is flawed and breaches fair procedures.
- The High Court judge gave him permission to bring the challenge and the matter was adjourned.
- Sentence
- The District Court judge jailed him for five months.
- Other details
- The Garda Commissioner proposed to summarily dismiss him from An Garda Síochána, before his appeal is heard and without a disciplinary hearing or inquiry.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Garda sergeant was convicted of sexually assaulting a young woman. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman was asleep when the sergeant got into her bed after a night out. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman alleged that the outside of his right thigh touched her fully clothed buttock. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at an address in Lucan. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offence happened on 2 March 2020, after a night-out. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on 2 March 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSgt Middleton was found guilty at Blanchardstown District Court of one count of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe has appealed the conviction. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe High Court judge gave the sergeant permission to bring his challenge, and the matter was adjourned. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sergeant denied ever getting into the bed with the woman. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSergeant Middleton was found guilty of one count of sexual assault at Blanchardstown District Court in October 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe has launched a High Court judicial review to prevent his dismissal. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Charles Meenan granted him permission to bring the challenge on an ex-parte basis, and the matter was adjourned. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe was jailed for five months by the District Court judge. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Garda Commissioner proposed to dismiss the sergeant from An Garda Síochána. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Garda Commissioner proposed summarily dismissing him, citing discreditable conduct. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Apr2023Garda sergeant convicted of sex assault on woman appeals dismissal from force
Covers the sergeant's High Court judicial review of the Garda Commissioner's proposal to dismiss him, which followed his conviction and jail sentence; the article also gives the incident date, location, the denial, and the appeal of the conviction.
convicted, Cathal Middleton, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cathal Middletonvictim, female - 17 Apr2023Garda convicted of sexual assault seeks to prevent dismissal
Reports a High Court judicial review by the convicted sergeant seeking to stop his dismissal from An Garda Síochána. The article says he has appealed the conviction and that the case was adjourned after the judge gave him permission to bring the challenge.
convicted, Cathal Middleton, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cathal Middletonvictim, female