Case No. 0642Sexual assault · Co. Westmeath
Healthcare worker on trial for sexual assault of 17-year-old girl at midlands hospital
A healthcare assistant in his 50s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is on trial at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at a medical facility in the midlands in 2024. The girl, who had been admitted following an overdose, alleged that the man pulled over a curtain and washed her breasts and bare backside by hand, then put his number in her phone. He was arrested a week after the incident and charged with two counts of sexual assault, to which he pleaded not guilty, maintaining he only washed her face, arms, and armpits. The trial commenced on 7 July 2026 before Judge Cephas Power and a jury, with 14 prosecution witnesses, and continued on 8 July with evidence from the complainant, a fellow patient, and her mother. The trial is set to continue on Thursday.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Jul
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A healthcare assistant in his 50s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at a medical facility in the midlands in 2024.
- The complainant alleged the accused pulled over a curtain, unclasped her bra, and washed her breasts and bare backside by hand, then put his contact number in her phone and told her they could go for Chinese food.
- The accused told gardaí he asked the teenager if she required assistance, she indicated she did, and he maintained he only washed her face, arms, and armpits.
- Where
- The incident allegedly took place at a medical facility in the midlands, Westmeath, and the trial is at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred in 2024, and the trial commenced on 7 July 2026.
- Cause
- The complainant had been admitted to the facility following an overdose of tablets and was moved to a room to be monitored for symptoms before discharge.
- Investigation
- The accused was arrested a week after the incident and questioned by gardaí, and a scene-of-crimes officer photographed the room including the bed, privacy curtains, and surrounding railings.
- Charges
- The accused faces two counts of sexual assault and pleaded not guilty.
- In court
- The trial is before Judge Cephas Power and a jury at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, with 14 prosecution witnesses and defence senior counsel Dara Foynes.
- Other details
- The defence says there was a communication breakdown, and the accused stated in his interview that he had not been informed the girl was an independent patient.
31 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe accused is a man in his 50s who cannot be identified for legal reasons (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe complainant was 17 at the time of the incident (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe complainant was moved to a room to be monitored for symptoms before discharge (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused worked at the facility as a healthcare assistant (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused allegedly pulled over the curtain and washed the girl's breasts and bare backside by hand (irishtimes.com)
- whatAnother patient was in the same room at the time (irishtimes.com)
- whatNo parent or guardian was present at the time of the incident (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl told her mother about the incident the following morning and it was then reported to staff (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused stated in his interview that he had not been informed the girl was an independent patient (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused told gardaí he asked the teenager if she required assistance and she indicated she did (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused maintained he only washed her face, arms, and armpits, not her breasts or backside (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused is a healthcare assistant in his 50s who cannot be identified for legal reasons. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl suffered from depression and had needed treatment following an overdose of tablets. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe complainant alleged the accused unclasped her bra and started washing her breasts. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe complainant alleged the accused washed and cleaned her backside in a circular motion. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused put his contact number into the complainant's phone. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused told the complainant they could go for Chinese food when she got out. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged incident occurred in 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe complainant was admitted to the facility following an overdose (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe accused was arrested a week after the incident and questioned by gardaí (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA scene-of-crimes officer photographed the room including the bed, privacy curtains, and surrounding railings (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA staff director confirmed no alterations had been made to the area between the incident and the photographs (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to the charges (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused faces two counts of sexual assault at a medical facility in the midlands in 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the then 17-year-old girl. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial commenced before Judge Cephas Power and a jury at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThere are 14 prosecution witnesses in the case (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is before Judge Cephas Power at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence senior counsel is Dara Foynes. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence says there was a communication breakdown and the accused maintains he only washed her face, arms, and armpits. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Jul2026Healthcare worker (50s) put number in girl’s phone after alleged sexual assault, court hears
Day two of the trial with the complainant, a fellow patient, and the complainant's mother giving evidence. The accused pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault.
victim, 17, femaleaccused, 50s, male - 7 Jul2026Healthcare worker stands trial accused of sexually assaulting teenage girl
Covers the opening of the trial on day one, including the prosecution's opening statement, the accused's account given to gardaí, and initial evidence from a scene-of-crimes officer and a staff director confirming no alterations to the room.
victim, 17, femaleaccused, 50s, male