Ireland Case No. 6301Sexual assault · Co. Dublin · 4 Feb 2022
Man given suspended sentence for sexual assault at Dublin bus stop
On 4 February 2022, Anatol Botnari, a 23-year-old Moldovan traffic maintenance worker, was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop on Dublin's north side. After being confronted and injured by up to 40 locals, he was arrested and taken to Ballymun Garda Station. He was convicted at a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court in March 2024, with Judge Monika Leech finding CCTV evidence contradicted his account that he had merely bumped into the girl after drinking. In September 2024, he was given a six-month suspended sentence with conditions including placement on the sex offenders register and a ban on unsupervised contact with children.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court6 Feb
4 reports - Convicted15 Mar
2 reports - Sentenced3 Sep
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Botnari was charged with sexual assault of a juvenile for allegedly putting his hand on a 14-year-old girl's vagina over her clothing.
- After the incident, up to 40 locals confronted Botnari, causing head injuries that required hospitalisation.
- Where
- The incident took place at a bus stop on the north side of Dublin.
- When
- The incident occurred between 9pm and 9.20pm on 4 February 2022.
- Investigation
- Botnari was arrested on Saturday night and taken to Ballymun Garda Station; CCTV showed he directly approached the girl with intent.
- Charges
- He was charged with sexual assault of a juvenile and made no reply to the charge.
- In court
- At a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court, Judge Monika Leech found him guilty, noting CCTV contradicted his account that he had bumped into the girl after drinking.
- Sentence
- In September 2024, Judge Leech imposed a six-month sentence suspended for two years, with conditions including placement on the sex offenders register and a ban on unsupervised contact with children.
- Other details
- Botnari, a Moldovan traffic maintenance worker who had been in Ireland since September, provided two addresses neither of which was confirmed as his residence.
- He had no prior convictions and used a Romanian passport which he claimed to have left at a Ballyfermot address.
119 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAnatol Botnari was arrested on Saturday night and taken to Ballymun Garda Station (thejournal.ie)
- whatHe made no reply to the charge (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe has been in Ireland since September (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThere were witnesses to the incident and he was on CCTV close to the scene (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused provided two addresses, neither of which he actually lived at (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe person at the first address confirmed the accused does not live there (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe homeowners at the second address in Ballyfermot told gardai the accused did not live there (thejournal.ie)
- whatBotnari used a Romanian passport which he claimed he left in the house in Ballyfermot (thejournal.ie)
- whatHe claimed he and his brother worked in road traffic maintenance and lived with a family in Ballyfermot (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused did not have a bench warrant history (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused's phone was lost during the alleged incident (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatHe did not speak during the hearing and listened with help of an interpreter (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe accused was confronted by up to 40 'vigilantes' and sustained head injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe had to be hospitalised for head wounds due to people at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe court heard he is aged 23 and is Moldovan. (gript.ie)
- whatHe does not hold a passport from Moldova. (gript.ie)
- whatHe claims to hold a passport from Romania but no passport was presented in court. (gript.ie)
- whatBotnari provided two addresses to the Gardaí. (gript.ie)
- whatHe claims to have left his passport at the Ballyfermot address. (gript.ie)
- whatThe householders at the Ballyfermot address stated he did not live with them. (gript.ie)
- whatHe claims to be working. (gript.ie)
- whatThe accused was seen attacking a young girl. (gript.ie)
- whatIn the perception of some witnesses he was attempting to abduct the girl. (gript.ie)
- whatBotnari was convicted of sexual assault for groping a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whatBotnari denied the charge and claimed he bumped into the girl. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA man was convicted of sexual assault for groping a teenage girl at a bus stop in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIt was alleged that he put his arm around the waist of a 14-year-old girl and touched her on the vagina over her clothing. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBotnari denied the charge and claimed he bumped into the girl after getting drunk. (rte.ie)
- whatThe judge heard that Botnari put his hand on the girl's vagina over her clothing. (rte.ie)
- whereHe located his second address on Google maps in Ballyfermot. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe accused was arrested on Saturday night and taken to Ballymun Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- whereOne address was in Clonsilla where residents said he did not live there. (gript.ie)
- whereAnother address was in Ballyfermot that he could only identify through Google Maps. (gript.ie)
- whereThe sexual assault took place at a bus stop. (gript.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at a bus stop on the city's north side. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at a bus stop in the city's north side. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe offence happened at a bus stop in Dublin. (rte.ie)
- whereThe offence took place at a bus stop on the city's north side in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whenHe was arrested on Saturday night and taken to Ballymun station. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 4 February 2022. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened between 9pm and 9.20pm. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offence happened on 4 February 2022. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offence took place on 4 February 2022. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe detective was unsure of the accused's true identity and was waiting to hear back from Interpol. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThere were witnesses to the incident and the accused was on CCTV close to the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Gardaí were waiting to hear back from Interpol. (gript.ie)
- investigationThe accused was held for the Gardaí who subsequently arrested him. (gript.ie)
- investigationCCTV showed Botnari directly approached the girl with intent to commit the sexual assault. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationBotnari was arrested and a file was sent to the DPP. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- investigationHe was arrested and a file was sent to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAfter locals assaulted him, the accused was arrested and a file was sent to the DPP. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe accused made no reply to the charge. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with sexual assault of a juvenile. (gript.ie)
- chargeThe judge convicted him, saying CCTV evidence contradicted his account. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe appeared at Dublin District Court before Judge Ciaran Liddy who set €750 bail with conditions (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge granted legal aid to the accused who had not yet indicated a plea (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThere were reporting restrictions for the victim (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was ordered to surrender his passport, stay away from parts of north Dublin and witnesses, sign on daily at a Garda station, and provide an address within 48 hours. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe did not speak during the hearing and listened with the help of an interpreter. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe appeared at Dublin District Court before Judge Ciaran Liddy. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDefence solicitor Paddy McGarry argued that not having an address was not grounds for denying bail. (gript.ie)
- courtHe was bailed by Justice Ciaran Leddy. (gript.ie)
- courtA bail condition was that he surrender his passport. (gript.ie)
- courtHe was granted bail of €750. (gript.ie)
- courtHe was granted legal aid. (gript.ie)
- courtThe case was decided after a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Monika Leech found Botnari guilty. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe girl gave evidence during the proceedings. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge found the teen to be a reliable witness. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge did not accept that the accused tripped. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtBotnari had no prior convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Monika Leech found him guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard in a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court before Judge Monika Leech. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge said CCTV evidence contradicted Botnari's account. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was heard as a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court before Judge Monika Leech. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe accused was ordered to surrender his passport. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe accused was ordered to stay away from parts of north Dublin and witnesses. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe accused must sign on daily at a Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceSentencing was adjourned so a victim impact statement could be prepared. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceA probation report on Botnari was requested for when the case resumes in May. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceA probation report was requested for when the case resumes in May. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a six-month sentence but suspended it. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe suspended sentence is conditional on him not re-offending for two years. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHe is to have no contact with any minor unless supervised, including in activities where children are present. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHe must stay out of the district where the offence happened. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHe will be on the sex offenders register. (rte.ie)
- sentenceA six-month sentence was imposed but suspended for two years on conditions. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHe is barred from unsupervised contact with children. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHe will be placed on the sex offenders register. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge warned him to cooperate with Probation Service supervision. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe person at his first address confirmed he does not live there. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHis phone was lost during the alleged incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe used a Romanian passport which he claimed he left in the house in Ballyfermot. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused is a traffic maintenance worker from Moldova. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused has been in Ireland since September. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused gave an address at Sorrel Heath, Clonsilla, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused provided two addresses, neither of which was confirmed as his residence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused and the witnesses were not known to each other. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused was initially allowed to stay at his first address to get a PPS number. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused could not name the second address but located it on Google Maps in Ballyfermot. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused claimed he and his brother worked in road traffic maintenance and lived with a family in Ballyfermot. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe homeowners at the second address told gardaí the accused did not live there. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused used a Romanian passport which he claimed he left in the house in Ballyfermot. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLocals attacked Botnari after learning of the incident, and he suffered head injuries and was hospitalised. (thejournal.ie)
- otherBotnari remains on €750 bail and has handed over his passport to gardaí. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe judge said the teenage girl was a reliable witness. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCCTV showed he directly approached the girl with intent to commit the sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe had taken a large quantity of alcohol. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe had no prior convictions, as agreed by the prosecution and defence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAfter the incident, locals attacked him and he suffered head injuries and was hospitalised. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe remains on €750 bail and has handed over his passport to gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLocals attacked Botnari after learning of the incident, and he was hospitalised with head injuries. (rte.ie)
- otherThe defence said Botnari now accepted the conviction, had been hospitalised for depression and had lost his job. (rte.ie)
- otherThe accused denied the charge and claimed he bumped into the girl after getting drunk. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe judge found the girl's evidence reliable and rejected the accused's account. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe accused had no previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe accused was hospitalised after being beaten by members of the community. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Sep2024Man found guilty of sexual assault of 14-year-old girl at Dublin bus stop given suspended sentence
Reports the sentence: a six-month term suspended for two years with conditions, a ban on unsupervised contact with children, a requirement to stay out of the district, and inclusion on the sex offenders register. Adds the defence account, the post-incident assault on the accused and the arrest.
convicted, Anatol Botnari, 24, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Anatol Botnarivictim, 14, female - 3 Sep2024Man avoids jail over sexual assault of 14-year-old girl
Reports the sentence: a six-month term suspended for two years with conditions, placement on the sex offenders register, and the defence's account of his health and job loss. Adds that the case was a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court before Judge Monika Leech.
convicted, Anatol Botnari, 24, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Anatol Botnarivictim, 14, female - 15 Mar2024Moldovan man, 24, guilty of sexual assault for groping girl, 14, at bus stop
Reports the conviction after a non-jury trial. Sentencing is adjourned to May pending a victim impact statement and a probation report.
convicted, Anatol Botnari, 24, male, Moldovan, named, non-irishAnatol Botnarivictim, 14, female - 15 Mar2024Man found guilty of sexual assault of 14-year-old girl at a bus stop in Dublin
Reports the conviction after a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court, with sentencing adjourned for a victim impact statement and a probation report.
convicted, Anatol Botnari, 24, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Anatol Botnarivictim, 14, female - 7 Feb2023No passport? Man charged with sexual assault on girl in Ballymun could not be identified in court - Gript
Comment piece by Dr Matt Treacy covering the initial court appearance and bail hearing, highlighting the accused's lack of a verifiable passport, two unverifiable addresses, and the granting of bail despite the detective's objection.
victim, femaleaccused, Anatol Botnari, 23, male, Moldovan, named, non-irishAnatol Botnari - 7 Feb2023Man accused of sexual assaulting girl injured after ‘vigilante’ confrontation, court told
Covers the initial bail hearing at Dublin District Court on 6 February 2023, detailing the vigilante confrontation that injured the accused, his address issues, the Garda objections to bail, and the conditions imposed by Judge Liddy.
victim, femaleaccused, Anatol Botnari, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Anatol Botnari - 7 Feb2023Man accused of sexually assaulting girl in Dublin confronted by 40 'vigilantes'
Bail hearing details: €750 bail set with conditions including surrendering passport, staying away from north Dublin and witnesses, signing on daily at a Garda station, and providing an address within 48 hours. Court heard the accused suffered head injuries after being confronted by up to 40 'vigilantes'. Remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday. Reporting restrictions in place for the victim.
victim, femaleaccused, Anatol Botnari, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Anatol Botnari - 6 Feb2023Man accused of sexual assault injured after being confronted by ‘vigilantes’, court hears
Details of the bail hearing at Dublin District Court before Judge Ciaran Liddy, including the accused's head injuries from a vigilante confrontation, address verification issues, Interpol identity check, and the specific bail conditions imposed.
suspect, Anatol Botnari, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Anatol Botnarivictim, female