Saturday 31 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. 20315Coercive control, sexual assault, false imprisonment, assault causing harm, criminal damage · Co. Clare · 15 Oct 2018

Judge discharges jury in first coercive control trial in Clare

A 49-year-old man was charged with 22 offences, including 12 counts of sexual assault, six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault causing harm, one count of criminal damage and one count of coercive control, allegedly committed against his wife at two addresses in Clare between October 2018 and February 2020. The couple are now divorced, and the complainant had been recording interactions on her mobile phone after their marriage broke down. The trial began at Ennis Circuit Court on Tuesday 11 July 2023, where the accused pleaded not guilty to all 22 charges. On the fourth day, Friday 14 July 2023, Judge Francis Comerford discharged the jury arising from a medical report, with no evidence having been heard.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 49-year-old man was charged with 22 offences including 12 counts of sexual assault, six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault causing harm, one count of criminal damage and one count of coercive control.
Where
The alleged offences took place at two separate addresses in Clare.
When
The offences are alleged to have occurred between October 2018 and February 2020, with the coercive control charge relating to behaviour between January 2019 and May 2019.
Charges
The accused pleaded not guilty to all 22 charges.
In court
  • The trial began at Ennis Circuit Court on Tuesday 11 July 2023.
  • Judge Francis Comerford discharged the jury on the fourth day, Friday 14 July 2023, arising from a medical report.
Other details
  • The complainant and her husband are now divorced.
  • The complainant began recording interactions on her mobile phone after their marriage had irrevocably broken down.
Investigation
The State referenced audio recordings made by the complainant and her daughter in its opening submissions.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged sexual assaults took place at two separate addresses. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe coercive control charge relates to behaviour between January 1st 2019 and May 15th 2019. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe first alleged sexual assault occurred on October 15th 2018 and the final sexual assault charge is in February 2020. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe charges include 12 counts of sexual assault, six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault causing harm, one count of criminal damage and one count of coercive control. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe jury was discharged on the fourth day of the case at Ennis Circuit Court on Friday morning. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford discharged the jury arising from a medical report. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe trial started on Tuesday and the accused pleaded not guilty to 22 separate charges. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe couple are now divorced. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe complainant began recording interactions between herself and her husband on her mobile phone when their marriage had irrevocably broken down. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jul2023
    In courtclareecho.ie, first report
    Judge discharges jury in first coercive control trial to come before courts in Clare - Clare Echo

    Reports the discharge of the jury on the fourth day of the trial due to a medical report, and details the 22 charges and the State's opening submissions including the use of audio recordings made by the complainant and her daughter.

    accused, 49, malevictim, female