Friday 30 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. 16851Indecent assault · Co. Offaly

Man jailed for 1987-88 indecent assault of girl in Clara, Co Offaly

James Hiney, who was 30 years old at the time, was found guilty by a jury at Tullamore Circuit Court of indecent assaulting a girl, Tara Kelly, then aged eight, at his residence in Clara, Co Offaly, between October 1987 and May 1988. A complaint was made to gardaí at the time but nothing came of it, and the victim made a statement of complaint to gardaí in January 2020. Hiney was tried in May, and Judge Keenan Johnson imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, suspending the last two years and three months. The sentence was backdated to May 10, when Hiney went into custody, and the conviction means he will be placed on the register of sex offenders.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • James Hiney was found guilty by a jury of indecent assault.
  • Hiney had denied eight charges of indecent assault of the girl, who was then aged eight.
Where
The indecent assault took place in Clara, Co Offaly, at Hiney's residence.
When
The offences took place between October 1987 and May 1988.
Other details
  • Hiney was 30 years old when the offences took place.
  • The conviction means Hiney will be placed on the register of sex offenders.
  • The victim, Tara Kelly, has waived her anonymity.
Investigation
  • A complaint was made to gardaí at the time, but nothing came of the investigation.
  • The victim, Tara Kelly, made a statement of complaint to gardaí in January 2020.
In court
Hiney was found guilty after a trial at Tullamore Circuit Court in May.
Sentence
  • Judge Keenan Johnson imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, suspending the last two years and three months.
  • The sentence was backdated to May 10, when Hiney went into custody.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHiney was found guilty by a jury at Tullamore Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe indecent assault took place in Clara. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at Hiney's residence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place between October 1987 and May 1988. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationA complaint was made to gardaí at the time, but nothing came of the investigation. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationA statement of complaint was made by the victim to gardaí in January 2020. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHiney had denied eight charges of indecent assault of the girl, who was then aged eight. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Keenan Johnson imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, suspending the last two years and three months. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to when Hiney went into custody on May 10. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe conviction meant Hiney would be put on the register of sex offenders. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jun2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Jail for man found guilty of indecent assault of eight-year-old girl in Offaly

    Reports the jury verdict, the sentence imposed at Tullamore Circuit Court, the victim's waiver of anonymity, and the judge's remarks; the complaint was first made to gardaí in January 2020.

    convicted, James Hiney, 67, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Hineyvictim, Tara Kelly, 8, female, irish (judged from name)Tara Kelly