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. 5853False imprisonment, sexual assault, assault causing harm · Co. Limerick · 17 Jan 2020

Man convicted of false imprisonment and sexual assault of woman, named at sentencing hearing

On the night of 17 January 2020 a woman was pulled into a car in County Limerick by Denis O'Donovan, a 38-year-old man, and was kept against her will, choked and sexually assaulted. She escaped and made a 999 call, and a medical examination and DNA evidence later supported her account. O'Donovan, who pleaded not guilty, was arrested twice, and a jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court convicted him on all but one alleged sexual assault at a trial the previous April. At a sentencing hearing on 17 May 2024, where he was named for the first time after reporting restrictions were lifted, Judge Dermot Sheehan remanded him in continuing custody for sentence on June 7.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted17 May
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • O'Donovan pulled the woman into his car and kept her there against her will.
  • He drove her to an isolated area and choked her with both hands around her neck.
  • He pulled down her trousers and underwear and repeatedly sexually assaulted her while holding her down.
  • The woman escaped after asking O'Donovan whether she could get more comfortable in the car.
Where
O'Donovan called to the woman's rural home; he has an address at Ballyryan, Donohill, Co Tipperary.
When
The offences took place on the night of 17 January 2020.
Investigation
  • The woman returned to her house and made a 999 call to alert gardaí.
  • A medical examination found bruising and trauma around her genitals, knee, thigh and shin, and marks on her neck consistent with choking.
  • O'Donovan's DNA was found on the woman's underwear, and Forensic Science Ireland results strongly supported that he sexually assaulted her.
  • O'Donovan was arrested on two occasions and denied sexually assaulting the woman.
Charges
O'Donovan pleaded not guilty to one count of falsely imprisoning the woman, three counts of sexually assaulting her and one count of assault causing harm.
In court
  • A jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court convicted him on all but one alleged sexual assault.
  • At the sentencing hearing the woman read a victim impact statement, and reporting restrictions were lifted so he was named for the first time.
Sentence
Judge Dermot Sheehan remanded O'Donovan in continuing custody for sentence on June 7.
26 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatO'Donovan pulled the woman into his car and kept her against her will. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe drove the woman to an isolated area and choked her with both hands around her neck. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatO’Donovan drove the woman to an isolated area and choked her. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO’Donovan pulled down the woman’s pants and underwear and repeatedly sexually assaulted her while holding her down. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe woman escaped after asking O’Donovan if she could get more comfortable in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereO'Donovan called to the victim's rural home. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whereO’Donovan has an address at Ballyryan, Donohill, Co Tipperary. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offences were committed on the night of 17 January 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences occurred on the night of January 17, 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationO'Donovan was charged after his DNA was found on the victim's underwear. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe woman returned to her house and made a 999 call, alerting gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe woman was medically examined and found to have bruising and trauma around her genitals, knee, thigh and shin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationMarks on the woman’s neck were consistent with being choked. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationO’Donovan was arrested on two occasions and always denied sexually assaulting the woman. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDNA results from Forensic Science Ireland strongly supported that O’Donovan sexually assaulted the victim. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeO'Donovan pleaded not guilty at trial to one count of falsely imprisoning the woman, three counts of sexually assaulting her, and one count of assault causing harm. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court convicted him on all but one alleged sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Dermot Sheehan remanded O'Donovan in continuing custody for sentence on June 7. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court convicted O’Donovan on all but one alleged sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtO’Donovan was on bail for an aggravated burglary when the offences occurred. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe woman read a victim impact statement in court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge needed time to consider sentence and remanded O’Donovan in continuing custody for sentence on June 7th. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherO'Donovan was on bail for an aggravated burglary when he committed these offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherO'Donovan had previous convictions, mostly for alcohol-related public order offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherO’Donovan had previous convictions, mostly for public order offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim said she had a breakdown and spent weeks in a secure mental health unit. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 May2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Woman kidnapped and sexually assaulted by Limerick man faces attacker in court

    Reports the sentencing hearing after conviction, the victim impact statement, the lifting of reporting restrictions and the adjournment of sentence to June 7th. Also gives the background of a prior aggravated burglary and the forensic evidence.

    convicted, Denis O'Donovan, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Denis O'Donovanvictim, female
  2. 17 May2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man convicted of sexual assault ‘is a dangerous sexual predator and everyone should know his name’

    Denis O'Donovan was named for the first time at his sentencing hearing after reporting restrictions were lifted; a jury convicted him on all but one alleged sexual assault and he was remanded in custody for sentence on June 7.

    convicted, Denis O'Donovan, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Denis O'Donovanvictim, female