Wednesday 28 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. 5208Unregistered medical practice (Medical Practitioners Act 2007) · Co. Dublin

London rabbi granted €60,000 bail over alleged illegal circumcision in Dublin

On 30 July 2024 Jonathan Abraham, a 47-year-old British man and London-based rabbi, was arrested in Dublin over an alleged circumcision on an 18-day-old baby boy at an address in Dublin 15. He was charged with performing a circumcision on a male child without being a registered medical practitioner, an offence under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. He was refused bail at the District Court two days after his arrest, and on 22 August 2024 the High Court set bail at €60,000 with conditions and allowed him to return to the UK pending trial. The case will be listed in the District Court in September 2024, and the trial venue is still pending from the DPP.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Aug
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The accused is charged with performing a circumcision on an 18-day-old baby boy in Dublin without being a registered medical practitioner.
  • Gardaí found a table with a changing pad, scissors and other medical supplies in the room, and a very young child naked on the changing pad.
  • Three babies, including a set of twins aged between three and six weeks, were in the house.
  • The infant was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
Where
The alleged procedure took place at an address in Dublin 15.
When
Jonathan Abraham was arrested in Dublin on 30 July 2024.
Charges
He was charged with performing a surgical procedure, a circumcision on a male child, without being a registered medical practitioner.
In court
  • He was refused bail at the District Court two days after his arrest.
  • The High Court judge held that the State had not established he was a flight risk.
  • Bail of €60,000 includes a €50,000 bond raised by the Jewish community and a €10,000 surety from the chief rabbi, with conditions to report weekly to Cabra Garda station and to have no contact with witnesses, directly or indirectly, including by social media.
  • The trial venue, District Court or Circuit Court, was still pending from the DPP, and the case will be listed in the District Court in September.
Sentence
At Circuit Court level the offence could carry a maximum fine of €130,000 and five years' imprisonment.
Other details
  • Abraham is a British citizen from north London, a married father of 10 and a member of the Initiation Society, and he was not a medical practitioner in Ireland.
  • The defence says the entire Jewish community stands behind the accused and that he intends to contest the case.
33 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThere was a table with a changing pad, scissors and other medical supplies in the room. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí observed a very young child on the changing pad naked. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThree babies, including a set of twins, aged between three and six weeks, were in the house. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOnly one circumcision involving removal of the foreskin of an 18-day-old baby boy had taken place. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe infant was brought to a hospital as a precautionary measure. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused is charged with performing an illegal circumcision on a baby boy in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused has been allowed to return to the UK pending trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offence occurred at an address in Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged procedure took place at an address in Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenJonathan Abraham was arrested in Dublin on 30 July. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe accused was arrested in Dublin on July 30th. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with performing a surgical procedure, a circumcision on a male child, without being a registered medical practitioner. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is accused of performing a surgical procedure on a child without being a registered medical practitioner. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtTrial venue directions from the DPP were still pending on whether the case would be heard in the District Court or the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was refused bail at the District Court two days after his arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge held that the State had not established he was a flight risk. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBail includes a €50,000 bond raised by the Jewish community. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe chief rabbi will act as an independent surety with a further €10,000. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe must contact Cabra Garda station every Monday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe must have no contact with witnesses, directly or indirectly, including by social media. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case will be listed in the District Court in September. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAbraham is a British citizen. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe babies present were from Muslim and Christian backgrounds. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHis fees were £70 for travel, £350 for each child with a €70 discount for twins. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe was not a medical practitioner in Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe flew into Dublin around midday and booked a 7pm return flight for the same date. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe only had a UK passport, not an Israeli passport as initially thought. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe was in solitary confinement at Cloverhill Prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe is a member of the Initiation Society, the oldest Anglo-Jewish organisation founded in 1745, and a mohel trained to perform circumcisions in the UK. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA 2004 Department of Health report said a rabbi could perform non-therapeutic circumcision for cultural or religious purposes but recommended sterile environments. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence stated the entire Jewish community stands behind the accused and he intended to contest the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence says the accused intends to contest the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe offence could carry a maximum fine of €130,000 and five years' imprisonment at the Circuit Court level. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Aug2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Rabbi charged with performing illegal circumcision on baby boy allowed to return to London on €60,000 bail

    Reports the High Court bail decision: €60,000 bail with conditions, a €50,000 bond raised by the Jewish community and a €10,000 surety from the chief rabbi, and permission to return to the UK pending trial. Also gives the maximum penalties and the District Court listing in September.

    accused, Jonathan Abraham, 47, male, British, named, non-irishJonathan Abraham
  2. 20 Aug2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Jewish community ‘stands behind’ rabbi accused of illegal circumcision, court hears

    Bail application at the High Court; defence proposed €100,000 in sureties; ruling adjourned to Thursday; trial venue (District or Circuit Court) still pending from DPP.

    accused, Jonathan Abraham, 47, male, British, named, non-irishJonathan Abrahamvictim, 18 days, male