Ireland Case No. 13646Coercive control, assault causing harm, false imprisonment, sexual assault · Co. Kilkenny
Kilkenny man jailed for two years over coercive control and assaults on then-teenage girlfriend
Martin Tracey (21), of Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to coercive control, assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual assault against his then-teenage girlfriend, Donna Clifford (21), on dates between October 2020 and January 2022, some of them at his family home. Clifford contacted gardaí in January 2022. Tracey was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court and jailed for two years, with concurrent sentences totalling three years and the final year suspended on strict conditions. The sentencing was reported on 23 May 2025, which is the latest development in the case.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced23 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Martin Tracey pleaded guilty to coercive control, assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual assault.
- Tracey pinned the victim against a wall and choked her during one attack.
- Tracey punched the victim in the stomach at the family home.
- Tracey sexually assaulted the victim and falsely imprisoned her by refusing to let her leave his bedroom.
- Where
- Some of the assaults took place in Tracey's family home.
- When
- The offences took place between October 2020 and January 2022.
- Cause
- Tracey's messages encouraged the victim to take steps to end her life and threatened violence against her.
- Investigation
- The victim contacted gardaí in January 2022.
- In court
- Tracey was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Tracey was jailed for two years; the judge imposed concurrent sentences totalling three years and suspended the final year on strict conditions.
- Other details
- Tracey had no previous convictions.
- Tracey was 17 when the offending began and 18 going on 19 when it ended.
- The victim said she has been left with severe anxiety and does not feel safe.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMartin Tracey pleaded guilty to coercive control, assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual assault. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatTracey pinned the victim against a wall and choked her during one attack. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatTracey punched the victim in the stomach at the family home. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatTracey sexually assaulted the victim and falsely imprisoned her by refusing to let her leave his bedroom. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereSome of the assaults occurred in Tracey's family home. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe offences took place between October 2020 and January 2022. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeTracey's messages encouraged the victim to take steps to end her life and threatened violence against her. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe victim contacted gardaí in January 2022. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtTracey was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceTracey was jailed for two years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed concurrent sentences totalling three years and suspended the final year on strict conditions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherTracey had no previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherTracey was 17 when the offending began and 18 going on 19 when it ended. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe victim said she has been left with severe anxiety and does not feel safe. (kilkennypeople.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 23 May2025Kilkenny man who threatened, sexually assaulted and beat then-teenage girlfriend is jailed for two years
Reports the sentencing of Martin Tracey at the Central Criminal Court, including the judge's sentence structure, the victim impact statement and mitigation.
convicted, Martin Tracey, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Traceyvictim, Donna Clifford, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Donna Clifford