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. 13008Sexual assault · Co. Clare · 6 Mar 2022

Judge refuses man's application to withdraw guilty plea to sexual assault in Meelick

A 47-year-old man who required a Portuguese interpreter had his application to withdraw his guilty plea to sexually assaulting a woman at Cratloe Suites, Meelick, in March 2022, refused by Judge Francis Comerford at Ennis Circuit Court. He was remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 29 September 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Aug
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is a 47-year-old man (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe sexual assault took place at Cratloe Suites, Two Mile Inn, Ennis Road, Meelick (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe sexual assault occurred on 6 March 2022 (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe man pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Court in February 2025 (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford rejected the man's application to change his plea (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe man had the benefit of full legal advice including consultation with a senior counsel, a junior counsel and a solicitor (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe man was remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 29 September 2025 (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe man required a Portuguese interpreter for the court hearing (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe complainant attended the hearing accompanied by family members (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Aug2025
    In courtclareecho.ie, follow-up
    Judge refuses man's application to withdraw guilty plea to sexual assault of woman in Meelick - Clare Echo

    Reports the Ennis Circuit Court hearing at which Judge Francis Comerford refused the accused's application to withdraw his guilty plea, finding he had the benefit of full legal advice, and remanded him on continuing bail for sentencing on 29 September 2025.

    accused, 47, male, non-irish (judged from name)victim, female