Thursday 29 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. 10394Defilement of a girl under 15; sexual assault · Co. Laois · 26 Apr 2025

Laois man sent forward to circuit court on sex offences

A 22-year-old Laois man is charged with defilement of a girl under 15 and with sexual assault over alleged offences at a location in Laois on 26 April 2025. Garda Lisa Murray served a book of evidence on him, and on 22 March 2026 he was sent forward to the present sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court on sex offences. The man cannot be named to protect the identity of the injured party, who is a girl under 15. At that sitting, Judge Andrew Cody advised him to notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intended to use an alibi.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The man is charged with defilement of a girl under the age of 15.
  • The man is also charged with sexual assault.
Where
The alleged offences took place at a location in Laois.
When
The alleged offences took place on 26 April 2025.
Investigation
Garda Lisa Murray served a book of evidence on the accused.
In court
  • The accused was sent forward to the present sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court on sex offences on 22 March 2026.
  • Judge Andrew Cody advised the accused to notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intended to use an alibi.
  • The defending solicitor was granted senior and junior counsel to assist in the case.
Other details
  • The accused is a 22-year-old man from Laois who cannot be named to protect the identity of the injured party.
  • The victim is a girl under the age of 15.
  • The case was first reported by the Leinster Express on 22 March 2026.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged offences took place at a location in Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on 26 April of the previous year. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Lisa Murray served a book of evidence on the accused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with defilement of a girl under the age of 15. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is also charged with sexual assault. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused was sent forward to the present sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court on sex offences. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge advised the accused to notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intended to use an alibi. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defending solicitor was granted senior and junior counsel to assist in the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Mar2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois man sent forward to circuit court on sex offences

    First report of this case. Sets out the charges, the sending forward to the circuit court, and the judge's alibi direction. The article does not name the accused.

    accused, 22, malevictim, under 15, female