Saturday 31 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. 19515Rape; sexual assault · Co. Laois

Laois man's sentencing hearing over rape and sexual assault of daughter's friend

A man aged 40 from Laois was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court in July 2023 of 12 counts, including rape, anal rape, oral rape, sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault, involving a girl who was a friend of his daughter. The offences took place in various locations in the State between October 2012 and July 2018, when the victim was aged between seven and 11. The victim told her mother in 2020, the man was arrested in April 2021, and he was found not guilty of one count of sexual assault. At the sentencing hearing on Monday 9 October 2023, the victim, now 17, read her victim impact statement, and the Director of Public Prosecutions suggested a headline sentence of 10 to 15 years. The case was adjourned to 23 October 2023 for finalisation.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The victim was a friend of the man's daughter.
Where
The offences took place in various locations in the State.
When
  • The offences took place between October 2012 and July 2018.
  • The victim was between seven and 11 years old when the offending occurred.
Investigation
  • The victim told gardaí the abuse occurred more than 20 times but could not recall all the incidents.
  • The victim told her mother about the abuse in 2020, and it was then reported to gardaí.
  • The man was arrested in April 2021 and interviewed on six occasions, where he denied the allegations.
Charges
The counts included sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, rape, anal rape and oral rape.
In court
  • The man was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court in July 2023 of 12 counts and not guilty of one count of sexual assault.
  • The victim read her victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing on Monday 9 October 2023.
Sentence
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions suggests a headline sentence of 10 to 15 years.
  • The case was adjourned to 23 October for finalisation.
Other details
  • The man continues to deny any wrongdoing, and his previous convictions are for minor road traffic offences.
  • The prosecution cited the victim's young age, the man's position of trust, the use of violence and threats, and the recording of videos as reasons for the suggested sentence.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe offences took place in various locations in the State. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place between October 2012 and July 2018. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe victim was between seven and 11 years old when the offending occurred. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe victim told gardaí the abuse occurred more than 20 times but could not recall all the incidents. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe victim told her mother about the abuse in 2020 and it was then reported to gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe man was arrested in April 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe man was interviewed on six occasions and denied the allegations. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe counts included sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, rape, anal rape and oral rape. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court in July 2023 of 12 counts. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man was found not guilty of one count of sexual assault. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe victim read her victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing on Monday 9 October 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe Director of Public Prosecutions suggests a headline sentence of 10 to 15 years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe case was adjourned to 23 October for finalisation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim was a friend of the man's daughter. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim said the man was a predator who came into her life when she was seven. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man's previous convictions are for minor road traffic offences. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe court heard the man continues to deny any wrongdoing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution cited the victim's young age, the man's position of trust, use of violence and threats, and the recording of videos as reasons for the suggested sentence. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Oct2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois man involved in sports raped and sexually assaulted daughter's friend

    Reports the sentencing hearing in the Central Criminal Court, including the victim impact statement, the prosecution's suggested headline sentence and the adjournment to 23 October. It also gives the conviction details, the offending period and the garda investigation timeline.

    convicted, 40, malevictim, 17, female