Thursday 29 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. 11214Rape and sexual assault · Co. Westmeath

Man jailed for 13 years over rape and sexual assault of three sisters in Westmeath

Christopher Fitzsimons, a 39-year-old man, sexually abused three of his partner's younger sisters, Tara Berry, Chloe Berry (34) and Claire Berry, at various locations in Westmeath between 2001 and 2011, when the complainants were aged 12 to 16. A Central Criminal Court jury convicted him last July of all 22 counts, which covered one rape and two sexual assaults against Tara, one sexual assault against Chloe and 18 rapes of Claire, and he has been held in Midland Prison since the verdict. Prosecutors asked for consecutive sentences for the rapes of two complainants. Justice Eileen Creedon then jailed him for 13 years, after setting a headline sentence of 14 years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Christopher Fitzsimons, a 39-year-old man, sexually abused three of his partner's younger sisters.
  • The complainants are Tara Berry, Chloe Berry (34) and Claire Berry.
Where
The abuse took place at various locations in Westmeath.
When
The abuse took place between 2001 and 2011, when the complainants were aged between 12 and 16.
Cause
The article says Fitzsimons began abusing the girls after their father died in 1999.
Charges
  • Tara Berry was the first complainant, and Fitzsimons was found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault against her.
  • Chloe Berry was touched on the vagina over her jeans while babysitting at around age 14, and Fitzsimons was found guilty of one count of sexual assault.
  • Fitzsimons was found guilty of 18 counts of raping Claire Berry between 2010 and 2011.
In court
  • A Central Criminal Court jury convicted Fitzsimons last July of all 22 counts relating to the three complainants.
  • Justice Eileen Creedon described the abuse as an egregious abuse of trust.
  • Prosecutors asked the judge to consider consecutive sentences for the rapes of the two separate complainants.
  • Fitzsimons has been in custody in Midland Prison since the jury's verdict last July.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of 14 years and reduced it to 13 years.
  • Fitzsimons was jailed for 13 years.
Other details
  • Fitzsimons has no previous convictions, and the judge noted little in mitigation apart from his young age, his lack of previous convictions and his good work history as a butcher.
  • Fitzsimons was in a relationship with the complainants' older sister, with whom he had a number of children.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatChristopher Fitzsimons sexually abused three of his partner's younger sisters over a 10-year period. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe abuse occurred in various locations in Westmeath. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe abuse took place on dates between 2001 and 2011. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeFitzsimons began abusing the girls after their father died in 1999. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe convictions included 18 counts of raping one of the girls over an 18-month period. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeTara Berry was the first complainant, and Fitzsimons was found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault against her. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeChloe Berry was touched on the vagina over her jeans while babysitting at around age 14, and Fitzsimons was found guilty of one count of sexual assault. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeFitzsimons was found guilty of 18 counts of raping Claire Berry between 2010 and 2011. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA Central Criminal Court jury convicted Fitzsimons last July of all 22 counts relating to the three complainants. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJustice Eileen Creedon described the abuse as an egregious abuse of trust. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtProsecutors asked the judge to consider consecutive sentences for the rapes of the two separate complainants. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtFitzsimons has been in custody in Midland Prison since the jury's verdict last July. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceFitzsimons was jailed for 13 years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 14 years and reduced it to 13 years. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe complainants were aged between 12 and 16 at the time of the abuse. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherFitzsimons has no previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherFitzsimons was in a relationship with the complainants' older sister, with whom he had a number of children. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted little in mitigation apart from his young age, lack of previous convictions and good work history as a butcher. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Feb2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    'Still picking up the pieces': Man jailed for rape and assault of three of his partner's sisters

    Reports the sentencing of Christopher Fitzsimons at the Central Criminal Court, with details of the convictions, the three complainants' victim impact statements and the judge's remarks.

    convicted, Christopher Fitzsimons, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Fitzsimonsvictim, Tara Berry, female, irish (judged from name)Tara Berryvictim, Chloe Berry, 34, female, irish (judged from name)Chloe Berryvictim, Claire Berry, female, irish (judged from name)Claire Berry