Friday 30 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. 14447Indecent assault · Co. Clare

Man charged with six counts of alleged indecent assault in 1984 and 1985 gets legal aid

A 55-year-old man has been charged with six counts of alleged indecent assault of his sister, with the offences said to have taken place in Co Clare in 1984 and 1985. Gardaí arrested him in Ennis during a family funeral and charged him. At a hearing on 23 February 2025 in Ennis, Judge Alec Gabbett returned him for trial to the current Ennis Circuit Court sittings, Judge Francis Comerford granted legal aid for two counsel, and bail was granted (reported as extended in one article) on a €20,000 independent surety from his brother and a €5,000 cash surety from the accused. The latest development is that the case was adjourned to March 25 to fix a trial date.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 55-year-old man has been charged with six counts of alleged indecent assault of his sister.
Where
The alleged offences took place at a location in Co Clare.
When
The alleged offences took place in 1984 and 1985.
Investigation
  • Gardaí arrested the man in Ennis while he was attending a family funeral.
  • The complainant has made a detailed written statement about the allegations.
Charges
Gardaí charged the man with the alleged indecent assault of a sister.
In court
  • On 23 February 2025 Judge Alec Gabbett returned the man for trial to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Court.
  • Judge Francis Comerford granted legal aid for two counsel to represent the accused in the Circuit Court.
  • Bail was granted (one article says extended) after a brother of the accused provided an independent surety of €20,000 and the accused provided a cash surety of €5,000.
  • The case was adjourned to March 25 to fix a trial date.
Other details
  • The accused flew into Ireland to be served with the Book of Evidence.
  • The accused has no previous convictions and no bench warrant history.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 55-year-old man has secured legal aid to face six charges connected to an alleged indecent assault of a sister. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offences took place at a location in Co Clare. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place in 1984 and 1985. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationThe complainant has made a detailed written statement about the allegations. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeGardaí arrested the man and charged him with the alleged indecent assault of a sister. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Alec Gabbett returned the man for trial to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford granted legal aid for two counsel to represent the accused in the Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe case could be adjourned to March 25 to fix a trial date. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtBail was granted after a brother of the accused provided an independent surety of €20,000 and the accused provided a cash surety of €5,000. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe accused has no previous convictions and no bench warrant history. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Feb2025
    In courtclareecho.ie, first report
    Legal aid secured by man arrested at Gardaí when attending family funeral charged with alleged indecent assault - Clare Echo

    Reports a court hearing in Ennis at which the accused was returned for trial, granted legal aid for two counsel in the Circuit Court, and had bail extended. The accused flew in for the Book of Evidence and was arrested in Ennis during a family funeral. The case is adjourned to March 25 to fix a trial date.

    accused, 55, male