Kildare firefighter Garreth Bannon jailed for seven years for raping teenage daughter
Garreth Bannon, 50, of Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court on 11 April 2025 to seven years' imprisonment for raping his biological daughter, who was 18 at the time, on an unknown date between January and September 2015. The victim, who now lives abroad, first met Bannon when she was in her mid-teens and was raped after meeting him in a pub where he bought her drinks. Bannon denied the allegations when interviewed by gardai but pleaded guilty shortly before the trial date. Mr Justice Tony Hunt reduced a headline sentence of eight and a half years for the guilty plea and expressions of remorse, suspended the final 12 months for five years with a lifetime no-contact condition, and directed two years of Probation Services supervision post-release.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced11 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Garreth Bannon, 50, of Gurteeneona, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, raped his biological daughter, who was 18 at the time, after meeting her in a pub where he bought her drinks.
- When
- The rape occurred on an unknown date between January 2015 and September 2015.
- Where
- The offence took place at an unknown location; Bannon lives in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare.
- Cause
- At the time of offending, Bannon was under stress from debts and marriage difficulties, suffering depression and abusing alcohol.
- Investigation
- Bannon denied the allegations when interviewed by gardai but later pleaded guilty shortly in advance of the trial date.
- Charges
- Bannon was charged with rape.
- In court
- The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, Dublin, before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
- Sentence
- Bannon was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, reduced from a headline of eight and a half years for his guilty plea and expressions of remorse.
- The final 12 months were suspended for five years on strict conditions including no contact with the victim for life without her express consent.
- Bannon was directed to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release.
- Other details
- The victim is Bannon's biological daughter, they first met when she was in her mid-teens, and she now lives abroad.
- The probation report assessed Bannon as at low risk of re-offending but noted he must undertake offence-focused work.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGarreth Bannon, 50, of Gurteeneona, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, was sentenced to seven years with the final 12 months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim is Bannon's biological daughter and they initially met when she was in her mid-teens. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was 18 at the time of the rape. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBannon raped the victim after she had met him in a pub where he bought her drinks. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was working abroad when she first disclosed what had happened. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBannon denied the allegations when interviewed by gardai but later pleaded guilty shortly in advance of the trial date. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBannon had a good work history as a butcher and later as a fireman from which he suffered PTSD. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBannon is married with one son but is now estranged from his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAt the time of offending, Bannon was under stress due to debts and difficulties in his marriage, and was suffering with depression and abusing alcohol. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe probation report assessed Bannon as at low risk of re-offending but noted he must undertake offence-focused work. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim now lives abroad. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe rape occurred on an unknown date between January 2015 and September 2015. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of eight and a half years, reduced for the guilty plea and expressions of remorse. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe final 12 months were suspended for five years on strict conditions including no contact with the victim for life without her express consent. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceBannon was directed to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Apr2025Firefighter jailed for raping teenage daughter after buying her drinks in pub
Sentencing report: Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a seven-year sentence (headline eight and a half years reduced for guilty plea and remorse), suspended the final 12 months for five years with a lifetime no-contact condition, and directed two years' Probation Services supervision post-release.
convicted, Garreth Bannon, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Garreth Bannonvictim, 18, female