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. 11762Indecent assault · Co. Kildare

Maeve Leahy on coping after Tommy Howard's sentencing

Tommy Howard was sentenced at Portlaoise Circuit Court to six years and nine months in prison for indecently assaulting his niece, Maeve Leahy. In an interview, she discusses the abuse and its effect on her life.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereTommy Howard is from Old Kilcullen. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe indecent assaults took place during the mid-1980s and 1990s. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe abuse began when Maeve was three and continued until she was 11. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe sentence was imposed at Portlaoise Circuit Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceTommy Howard was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherTommy Howard was married to Maeve's aunt, Theresa, and the family lived in Newbridge. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherMaeve Leahy chose to waive her anonymity and name her abuser. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherTommy Howard was a Kildare GAA official and former All-Ireland Final referee. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Dec2025
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, follow-up
    INTERVIEW: Maeve Leahy on coping, learning and moving on after abuser Tommy Howard is jailed

    Victim interview published after the sentencing. Gives the sentence, the court, the abuse period and the relationship between the parties. It does not give specific dates or details of individual incidents.

    convicted, Tommy Howard, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tommy Howardvictim, Maeve Leahy, 46, female, irish (judged from name)Maeve Leahy