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. 9678Child cruelty; sexual assault · Co. Laois

Man appears before Portlaoise District Court accused of child cruelty

A 55-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Portlaoise District Court in Laois in May 2026 accused of cruelty to children and sexual assault. He is accused of cruelty to children between January 2, 2007 and January 2, 2009, and of sexual assault between December 22, 1999 and December 21, 2003, with a further sexual assault count alleged between December 12, 2002 and December 21, 2005. Detective Garda Ray Dermody said the man had been arrested and charged and that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. The man was granted bail subject to conditions and remanded to appear again on June 15 for service of the book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 55-year-old man is accused of cruelty to children and sexual assault.
Where
The man appeared before Portlaoise District Court in County Laois.
When
  • The article was published on May 9, 2026.
  • The cruelty to children charge covers dates between January 2, 2007 and January 2, 2009.
Charges
  • The man is accused of cruelty to children at a location the article describes as with the state.
  • The man is accused of sexual assault between December 22, 1999 and December 21, 2003.
  • A further count of sexual assault is alleged between December 12, 2002 and December 21, 2005.
  • The DPP directed trial on indictment.
Investigation
  • Detective Garda Ray Dermody said the accused had been arrested and charged.
  • Detective Garda Ray Dermody asked for six weeks to prepare the book of evidence.
In court
  • Bail was agreed subject to certain conditions.
  • The man was remanded on bail to appear again on June 15 for service of the book of evidence.
Other details
  • The man cannot be named for legal reasons.
  • The victims' details, including the incident date, are not given in the sources.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe cruelty to children charge covers dates between January 2, 2007 and January 2, 2009. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA detective garda said the accused had been arrested and charged. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe man is accused of cruelty to children. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe man is accused of sexual assault between December 22, 1999 and December 21, 2003. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeA further count of sexual assault is alleged between December 12, 2002 and December 21, 2005. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtBail was agreed subject to certain conditions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man was remanded on bail to appear again on June 15 for service of the book of evidence. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 May2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man appears before Portlaoise District Court accused of child cruelty

    First court appearance of a 55-year-old man charged with child cruelty and sexual assault; the DPP has directed trial on indictment and he was remanded on bail.

    accused, 55, male