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. 5192Sexual assault · Co. Dublin · 19 Aug 2024

Man charged over Dublin Docklands park sexual assault remains in custody

Marius Lacatus, 32, has been charged with sexual assault and assault causing harm over an attack on a woman in a Docklands park in Dublin on 19 August. He remains in custody while a surety is arranged for his bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested19 Aug
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Aug
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
47 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSources say the woman was followed by a man who lunged at her and dragged her into a park off Mayor Street. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe woman was followed, dragged into a park and told she would be killed. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman suffered facial injuries and muscle damage to her neck. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman was walking to work at the time (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMarius Lacatus is a 32-year-old Romanian construction worker who has been living in Dublin for three years (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman suffered facial injuries and a large amount of muscle damage to her neck (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe alleged suspect strangled her throughout the attack (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe attacker opened his trousers, touched inside her underwear with his hand and rubbed her vagina but did not penetrate her (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man allegedly shouted throughout the incident that he would kill her (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused was found under a hedge beneath a bridge nearby with his trousers open (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe woman was walking close to the Convention Centre in central Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe attack happened in the Docklands in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe accused was found under a hedge beneath a bridge nearby. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack happened at about 6am on Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe woman was walking to work shortly after 6am on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr Lacatus was arrested at 7.13am. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred shortly after 6am on 19 August 2024 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenGardaí received a report at around 6.15am (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMarius Lacatus was arrested at 7.13am (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí from Store Street station arrested a suspect who was found in the area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested a Romanian national over the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe arrested man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Dublin City Centre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating an alleged assault at Mayor Street Upper, Dublin 1, in the early hours of Monday 19 August 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí had CCTV evidence, which was shown to the accused. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDNA samples were taken from the accused. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDirections from the DPP were outstanding and there could be further serious charges. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí had CCTV evidence which was shown to the accused, and DNA samples were taken from him (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMarius Lacatus was charged with sexual assault and assault causing harm to the woman. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with sexual assault and assault causing harm (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGarda objections to bail were overruled at Dublin District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBail could be granted on a €500 bond with a €3,000 independent surety. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe can only be released once the surety has been lodged. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was remanded in custody with consent to bail and is to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 27 August. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was granted €3,500 bail over Garda objections at Dublin District Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe appeared via video link before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDPP directions were required and he was remanded in continuing custody with consent to bail to appear again on 24 September (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Store Street garda objected to bail due to strength of evidence, flight risk and seriousness of the case (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe woman fought him off and her screams alerted two people who ran to her aid. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBoth helpers shouted at the attacker, and he fled the area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe woman was badly traumatised after the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe woman was taken to hospital for treatment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSources say gardaí do not think this incident is linked to a separate attack in Ballybough at the weekend. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHis detention interview was suspended due to the level of intoxication. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe is the father of one with no fixed address (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence asked the court to direct medical attention for the accused who suffers from epilepsy (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused has yet to enter a plea (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe garda said there could be further serious charges (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Aug2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man accused of sexually assaulting woman in Dublin Docklands park yet to take up bail

    Second hearing at Cloverhill District Court; DPP directions required; remanded in continuing custody with consent to bail to appear again on 24 September; defence requested medical attention for epilepsy; detailed account of the alleged assault and arrest provided to the court.

    victim, female, non-irish (judged from name)accused, Marius Lacatus, 32, male, Romanian, named, non-irishMarius Lacatus
  2. 20 Aug2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Woman dragged into park and told she would be killed during early morning sex attack in Dublin, court hears

    Court report of the bail hearing on 20 August 2024. Adds the victim's injuries, the attack details, the accused's arrest and intoxication, the CCTV and DNA evidence, the bail terms, and the remand to Cloverhill on 27 August. Says further serious charges are possible.

    victim, femaleaccused, Marius Lacatus, 32, male, Romanian, named, non-irishMarius Lacatus
  3. 19 Aug2024
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardai probe early morning sex attack on woman walking in central Dublin

    Reports the arrest of a Romanian national and the circumstances of the attack, including that the woman was followed and dragged into a park off Mayor Street, that two bystanders intervened, and that she was taken to hospital. Says gardaí do not think the attack is linked to a separate weekend incident in Ballybough.

    victim, early 20s, femalesuspect, male, Romanian, non-irish