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. 6436Sexual assault · Co. Westmeath · 27 Dec 2019

Man admits sexual assault on sleeping woman

A man in his 20s admitted the sexual assault of a woman, his friend's sister, who was asleep on a couch in the early hours of December 27, 2019, in the midlands in County Westmeath. The victim had fallen asleep at her brother's home after socialising on St Stephen's Day. When interviewed by gardaí, the man admitted the allegations, and in February 2024 he entered a guilty plea at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Keenan Johnson. The victim's impact statement was read into the record, and a probation report recommended he engage with a sexual education programme and rated him a moderate risk. The judge adjourned the case to consider sentencing, which is the latest development reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man in his 20s admitted the sexual assault of the victim, his friend's sister.
  • The victim had fallen asleep on a couch at her brother's home.
  • The court heard the man had one hand on the victim's top and her pants were pulled down.
Where
The offence happened in the midlands, in County Westmeath.
When
The offence happened in the early hours of December 27, 2019, after the victim socialised on St Stephen's Day.
Cause
The judge said the man loses control due to his binge drinking.
Investigation
When interviewed by gardaí, the man admitted the allegations.
Charges
The man pleaded guilty to the sexual assault.
In court
  • The man entered a guilty plea at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Keenan Johnson, reported on February 29, 2024.
  • The victim provided a victim impact statement, which was read into the court record.
Other details
A probation report recommended the man engage with a sexual education programme and rated him a moderate risk.
Sentence
The judge adjourned the case to consider sentencing.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man admitted the sexual assault on the victim, his friend's sister, who was asleep on a couch. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim had fallen asleep on a couch at her brother's home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe court heard the man had one hand on the victim's top and her pants were pulled down. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offence happened in the midlands. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offence happened in the early hours of December 27, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe judge said the man loses control due to his binge drinking. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationWhen interviewed by gardaí, the man admitted the allegations. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe man entered a guilty plea at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Keenan Johnson. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe victim provided a victim impact statement, which was read into the court record. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge adjourned the case to consider sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA probation report recommended the man engage with a sexual education programme and rated him a moderate risk. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Feb2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man, 20s, admits sex attack on sleeping woman

    First report of the case. Adds the guilty plea at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, the victim's account and impact statement, the probation report, and the adjournment for sentencing.

    accused, 20s, malevictim, female