Thursday 12 November 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. 39075Sexual assault · Co. Dublin · 16 Dec 2023

Man jailed for 18 months for sexual assault in Dublin pub

Vatali Mihai, a 37-year-old man from Lucan, Dublin, was sentenced to 18 months at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sexually assaulting a woman in the smoking area of a pub in Co Dublin on 16 December 2023. He placed the woman in a headlock, put his hand down her top and trousers, and later followed her to the ladies' toilet before being asked to leave.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMihai placed the woman in a headlock and put his hand down her top and down the back of her trousers in the smoking area of the bar. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe sexual assault occurred in a public house in Co Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offence occurred on 16 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe woman reported the incident to gardaí the following day, CCTV was obtained, and Mihai was arrested by appointment on 19 January 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMihai pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of three years and sentenced Mihai to 18 months in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMihai has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMihai came to Ireland from Moldova seven years ago and works as a truck driver. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAfter the assault the woman told a barman who alerted security and Mihai was asked to leave. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Nov2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man who held woman in headlock during sexual assault named in court

    Sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where Mihai pleaded guilty and received an 18-month prison sentence.

    victim, femaleconvicted, Vatali Mihai, 37, male, Moldovan, namedVatali Mihai

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