Friday 30 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. 16886Child cruelty · Co. Wicklow · 27 Apr 2010

Jockey given suspended sentence for assaulting teenage daughter in 2010

A jockey, Lorcan Donnelly, aged 52, beat his 13-year-old daughter with a plastic pipe on 27 April 2010 at the family home in Redcross, Co Wicklow, after being called to her school over an alleged theft. The daughter reported the incident to UK police in July 2020, and a Garda investigation began in February 2021. Donnelly pleaded guilty at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm, producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, and cruelty to a child. The latest development, reported on 21 June 2024, is that he was given a sentence of three years on each of three charges, to run concurrently, with the whole sentence suspended for three years on condition he keeps the peace.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Lorcan Donnelly, aged 52, is a jockey who beat his 13-year-old daughter.
Where
The incident happened at his then family home in Redcross, Co Wicklow.
When
The incident occurred on 27 April 2010.
Cause
He beat his daughter after being called to her school over an alleged theft.
Weapon
She was struck with a piece of plastic pipe.
Other details
  • The girl had blood on her upper thigh, blistered welts and a bloodshot eye.
  • He had no prior convictions.
  • The sentence was reported on 21 June 2024.
Investigation
  • The daughter reported the incident to UK police in July 2020.
  • A Garda investigation started in February 2021.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, and cruelty to a child.
In court
The case was heard at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
He was sentenced to three years on each of three charges, to run concurrently, with the whole sentence suspended for three years on condition he keeps the peace.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident happened at the accused's then family home in Redcross, Co Wicklow. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 27 April 2010. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe father beat his daughter after being called to her school over an alleged theft. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponThe daughter was struck with a piece of plastic pipe. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe daughter reported the incident to UK police in July 2020, which led to a Garda investigation starting in February 2021. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, in addition to cruelty to a child. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced to three years on each of three charges, to run concurrently, with the whole sentence suspended for three years on condition he keeps the peace. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe girl had blood on her upper thigh, blistered welts and a bloodshot eye. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused had no prior convictions. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Jun2024
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Jockey gets suspended sentence for child cruelty over assault on his teenage daughter

    Reports the guilty pleas, the evidence heard, and the suspended sentence at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. The offence dates from 2010 and was reported to gardaí in 2020.

    convicted, Lorcan Donnelly, 52, named, irish (judged from name)Lorcan Donnellyvictim, 13 at the time of the offence