Ireland Kieran Meaney jailed for four years and three months for sexual abuse of two young girls in Co Limerick
Kieran Meaney, of Kileely, Co Limerick, was a teenage babysitter who sexually abused two sisters, aged six to 11, between August 1979 and August 1983. A jury at the Central Criminal Court found him guilty of 14 counts of indecent assault and one count of raping the older girl. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo set a headline sentence of 10 years and 3 months, reduced it to 5 years and 6 months for Meaney's juvenile status, and then to an effective 4 years and 3 months. That sentence, reported on 12 May 2025, is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced12 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Kieran Meaney was found guilty by a jury of 14 counts of indecently assaulting two sisters.
- Kieran Meaney was found guilty of one count of raping the older sister.
- Meaney was a teenager and was babysitting the children at the time of the offending.
- The abuse began with inappropriate touching and escalated to the children being made to remove their clothing.
- Most of the offences were committed against the older sister.
- The two victims were aged between six and 11 at the time of the offences.
- When
- The offences took place on dates between August 1979 and August 1983.
- Where
- Meaney is of Hennessy Avenue, Kileely, Co Limerick, and the offences are linked to County Limerick.
- In court
- The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, where Mark Nicholas SC defended Meaney.
- Victim impact statements were read out in court.
- Sentence
- Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo set an aggregate headline sentence of 10 years and 3 months.
- The headline sentence was reduced to 5 years and 6 months because Meaney was a juvenile at the time of the offending.
- The final effective sentence was four years and three months, reduced further for Meaney's long work history, lack of previous convictions and personal circumstances.
- Other details
- Meaney has no previous convictions and a long work history.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMeaney was found guilty by a jury of 14 counts of indecently assaulting two sisters (irishtimes.com)
- whatMeaney was found guilty of one count of raping the older girl (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victims were aged between six and 11 at the time (irishtimes.com)
- whatMeaney was a teenager at the time of the offending (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe abuse started with touching and escalated to having the children remove their clothing (irishtimes.com)
- whatMost of the offences were against the older child (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe older girl was raped on one occasion (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe abuse occurred on dates between August 1979 and August 1983 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMr Justice Kerida Naidoo set an aggregate headline sentence of 10 years and 3 months (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was reduced to 5 years and 6 months because Meaney was a juvenile at the time (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe final effective sentence was four years and three months (irishtimes.com)
- otherMeaney has no previous convictions and a long work history (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victims wish for Meaney to be named and to retain their anonymity (irishtimes.com)
- otherMark Nicholas SC was defending Meaney (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 12 May2025Male babysitter sentenced to four years and three months for abuse of young girls
Sentencing report: Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo set a headline sentence of 10 years and 3 months, reduced to 5 years and 6 months for Meaney's juvenile status at the time, and further reduced to an effective 4 years and 3 months given his long work history, lack of previous convictions and personal circumstances. Victim impact statements were read out in court.
convicted, Kieran Meaney, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Meaneyvictim, femalevictim, female