Indian student Visak Rajesh Leela given suspended sentence for attempted abduction of five-year-old boy in Dublin
Visak Rajesh Leela, a 26-year-old man studying for an MBA in Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the attempted abduction of a five-year-old boy from a south Dublin apartment complex on 14 September 2024. He signalled for the child to let him inside, then ran after the boy and pushed him out the door. Leela told gardaí he was intoxicated after a party and did not remember the incident, though a doctor had suspended his detention for a number of hours. On 28 April 2025, Judge Martin Nolan handed him a three-year suspended prison sentence and directed him to leave the jurisdiction within two weeks and not return for 10 years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Leela signalled for a five-year-old boy to let him inside, ran after the child, and pushed him out the door of the apartment block.
- Where
- The incident took place at an apartment complex in south Dublin.
- When
- The incident occurred on 14 September 2024.
- Cause
- Leela told gardaí he was intoxicated after attending a party and did not remember the incident, though a doctor suspended his detention for a number of hours and a garda noted he was steady on his feet with no smell of alcohol when he returned.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage from the security hut was obtained and shown to the judge.
- Charges
- Leela pleaded guilty to the attempted abduction of the five-year-old boy at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- In court
- Judge Martin Nolan found Leela's culpability was low and that he was not a danger to children, based on a probation report assessing him as low risk of reoffending.
- Sentence
- Leela was given a three-year suspended prison sentence on strict conditions.
- Leela was directed to leave the jurisdiction within two weeks and not return for 10 years.
- Other details
- Leela had spent three months in custody following the incident.
- Threats have been made against Leela's life.
- Leela told gardaí he was from India and came to Ireland in October 2023 on a student visa to complete his MBA at Dublin Business School.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatLeela was leaving a party at the apartment block at 9pm when he encountered two children playing outside. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLeela signalled for the boy to let him inside, then ran after the child and pulled him towards the door. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLeela pushed the boy out the door. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLeela told gardaí he was intoxicated after attending a party and did not remember the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGarda McDermott said when Leela returned he was steady on his feet with no smell of alcohol. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA doctor suspended Leela's detention for a number of hours after finding he was intoxicated. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLeela told gardaí he was from India and came to Ireland in October 2023 on a student visa. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLeela was due to complete his MBA at Dublin Business School and worked part-time. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at a Dublin apartment complex in south Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCCTV footage was obtained from the security hut and shown to the judge. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceLeela was given a three-year suspended prison sentence on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceLeela was directed to leave the jurisdiction within two weeks and not return for 10 years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA probation report assessed Leela as being at a low risk of reoffending. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLeela had spent three months in custody following the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThreats have been made against Leela's life. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Apr2025Man who attempted to abduct child from a Dublin apartment complex ordered to leave country within two weeks
Sentencing report: Leela received a three-year suspended sentence with a direction to leave the jurisdiction within two weeks and not return for 10 years. Judge Nolan found his culpability was low and he was not a danger to children, based on a probation report assessing him as low risk of reoffending.
suspect, Visak Rajesh Leela, 26, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Visak Rajesh Leelavictim, 5, malevictim, female