Ireland Case No. 0054Sexual assault · Co. Dublin
Honduran man sentenced for sexual assault of teen in Dublin gym
In April 2025, Dario Maradiaga Flores, a 33-year-old Honduran man, sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy in the men's changing room of a gym in Tallaght, Dublin, grabbing his genitals over his trousers while smirking. The boy reported the incident to gym staff who contacted gardaí, and Flores was traced through CCTV footage and his gym swipe card. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of sexual assault carrying a maximum of 14 years. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-and-a-half-year term suspended in full on condition of good behaviour and ordered Flores to pay €5,000 to the victim within six weeks.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced27 Oct
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The accused sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy (reports also describe him as a teenager) in the men's changing room, grabbing his genitals over his trousers while smirking, after which the boy protested and the accused apologised and left quickly, leaving clothing and a water bottle behind.
- Where
- The assault took place in the men's changing room of a gym in Tallaght, Dublin 24.
- When
- The offence took place in April 2025.
- Cause
- No apparent reason was given; the accused told gardaí it was by accident and the judge noted he thought the victim was older than he was.
- Investigation
- The boy reported the incident to gym staff who contacted gardaí, and Flores was traced through CCTV footage and his gym swipe card.
- Charges
- Flores was charged under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 and Section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years.
- In court
- The case was sent to the Circuit Criminal Court after a District Court judge refused jurisdiction, and Flores pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-and-a-half-year term suspended in full on condition of good behaviour for the same period.
- Flores was ordered to pay €5,000 to the victim within six weeks, or to charity if the victim declined.
- Other details
- Flores, originally from Honduras, has no previous convictions, holds a psychology degree, was working in HR at the time of the offence but lost his job, and is now working on a farm.
- The judge noted the victim was frightened and stunned and suffered some trauma as a result of the crime.
33 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe accused sexually assaulted a 16-year-old youth at a gym. (gript.ie)
- whatThe accused grabbed the boy's genital area in an unprovoked assault. (gript.ie)
- whatAs the boy left the male changing room, the accused blocked his path and grabbed his genitals over his trousers while smirking at him. (gript.ie)
- whatWhen the teenager protested loudly, Flores appeared embarrassed, apologised profusely, and left the gym quickly, leaving behind clothing and a water bottle. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA teenage boy was sexually assaulted. (gript.ie)
- whatThe man grabbed the boy's genital area. (gript.ie)
- whereThe offence took place in the gym's changing rooms. (gript.ie)
- whereFlores is originally from Honduras and has an address at Maplewood Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe assault happened in a Dublin gym. (gript.ie)
- whereThe boy was using the men's changing room. (gript.ie)
- whenThe offence took place in April 2025. (gript.ie)
- causeNo apparent reason was given for the assault. (gript.ie)
- investigationA detective sergeant told the District Court the teen had finished exercising and was fully dressed. (gript.ie)
- investigationFlores was traced through CCTV footage and his gym swipe card after the teenager reported the incident to staff who contacted gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe offence was contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 and Section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, with a maximum sentence of 14 years. (gript.ie)
- chargeThe offence carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was sent to the Circuit Criminal Court after a District Court judge refused jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the charge. (gript.ie)
- courtThe accused pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a male under the age of 18. (gript.ie)
- courtFlores pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of sexual assault in April 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said he had no doubt the victim suffered some trauma as a result of the crime. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSupporters of the man hugged him outside court. (gript.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a two-and-a-half-year term, suspended in full on condition of good behaviour for the same period. (gript.ie)
- sentenceThe accused must gather €5,000 within six weeks to offer to the victim, or it will be donated to charity if the victim declines. (gript.ie)
- sentenceThe judge handed down a sentence of two and a half years suspended in full, with a condition that Flores pay €5,000 to the victim within six weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe man received €5K and a suspended sentence. (gript.ie)
- otherThe judge said the victim was frightened and stunned and suffered some trauma. (gript.ie)
- otherThe court noted the accused pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, has no criminal record and has a good work history. (gript.ie)
- otherThe judge said the accused thought the victim was somewhat older than he was. (gript.ie)
- otherFlores has no previous convictions in either jurisdiction. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFlores has been in a stable relationship for nearly a year and his partner was in court to support him. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFlores has a degree in psychology and was working in HR at the time of the offence but lost his job in the wake of it. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFlores is now working on a farm and is active in his local church, a gay men's choir and rugby. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy cannot be named for legal reasons. (gript.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Oct2026€5K and a suspended sentence for assaulting a child. - Gript
Gript comment piece naming the accused and reporting the sentence and the courtroom scene. The article gives no exact date for the assault.
convicted, Dario Maradiaga Flores, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Dario Maradiaga Floresvictim, teenage, male - 27 Oct2026HR worker who sex assaulted teen boy in gym walks free as partner supports him in court
Full sentencing details: Judge Martin Nolan suspended a two-and-a-half-year term in full with a condition that Flores pay €5,000 to the victim within six weeks. Article adds background on Flores (psychology degree, HR worker who lost his job, now working on a farm, active in church, gay men's choir and rugby), defence arguments, and the judge's remarks on the victim's trauma.
victim, 16, maleconvicted, Dario Maradiaga Flores, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Dario Maradiaga Flores - 27 Oct2026No jail for man who assaulted teen boy in gym
Reports the sentencing outcome: the Honduran man received a non-custodial sentence for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy at a gym in Tallaght.
convicted, Dario Maradiaga Flores, 33, male, Honduran, named, non-irishDario Maradiaga Floresvictim, 16, male
Changed after publication
facts outlets added, removed or correctedgript.ie, 27 Oct 2026, 15:59: No jail for man who assaulted teen boy in gym
- AddedDetective Sergeant Ruth Finnegan gave evidence at Tallaght District Court that the teen had finished exercising and was fully dressed.
- AddedThe accused pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a male under the age of 18 at the Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Nolan.
- AddedThe maximum sentence for the offence under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 and Section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 is 14 years.