Man jailed for 12 years for sexually assaulting young daughter in Waterford
James O'Reilly, a 63-year-old man, was sentenced on 21 July 2025 to 13 years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended for 12 months on strict conditions, for sexually abusing his daughter Bridget O'Reilly at their family home in Waterford between 2010 and 2014, when she was aged six to 10. The abuse included oral rape, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation, and the judge described it as an egregious breach of trust. After four trials—the first aborted over a legal issue, the second ending in a hung jury, and the third with the jury discharged—a Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of oral rape, five counts of sexual assault, and three counts of sexual exploitation. The victim waived her right to anonymity to allow her father to be named.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced21 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The abuse included oral rape, sexual assault involving inappropriate touching, and being forced to watch pornography and her father touch his penis.
- Her father would slap and hit her when she did not comply and told her it was her fault because she made him do it.
- Where
- The offending took place at the family home in Waterford.
- When
- The offences occurred on dates from 2010 to 2014, when the complainant was aged between six and 10.
- Charges
- A Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of oral rape, five counts of sexual assault, and three counts of sexual exploitation.
- In court
- The case involved four trials: the first was aborted due to a legal issue, the second ended with the jury failing to reach agreement, and the third ended with the jury being discharged.
- Sentence
- Ms Justice Eileen Creedon imposed a headline sentence of 13 years with the final year suspended for 12 months on strict conditions.
- Other details
- The victim, Bridget O'Reilly, waived her right to anonymity to allow her father to be named.
- His son Thomas gave a character reference on his father's behalf at sentencing.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe abuse included oral rape, sexual assault involving inappropriate touching, and being forced to watch pornography and her father touch his penis. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHer father would slap and hit her when she did not comply. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe told her it was her fault because she made him do it. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe offending took place at the family home in Waterford. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences occurred on dates from 2010 to 2014. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was convicted of oral rape, five counts of sexual assault, and three counts of sexual exploitation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case involved four trials. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe first trial was aborted due to a legal issue. (irishtimes.com)
- courtIn the second trial, the jury failed to reach agreement. (irishtimes.com)
- courtIn the third trial, the jury were discharged. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was 13 years with the final year suspended for 12 months on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe offending occurred when the complainant was aged between six and 10. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Jul2025Man who sexually assaulted young daughter jailed for 12 years
Reports the sentencing of James O'Reilly to 12 years for sexual offences against his daughter, including details of four trials, the judge's remarks, and the victim's statement.
victim, female, irish (judged from name)convicted, 63, male, irish (judged from name)