Wednesday 28 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. 5276Rape; sexual assault · Co. Donegal · 26 Mar 2021

Man jailed for eight years for rape in Donegal home

On 26 March 2021, a man raped a woman as she slept in bed beside her boyfriend and newborn baby at a home in Donegal, according to the sources. The suspect is Shaun O'Donnell (34), and the victim is a woman. A jury at the Central Criminal Court found O'Donnell guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault following a trial. On 7 August 2024, Mr Justice David Keane jailed him for eight years for rape, with a concurrent sentence of two years and eight months for sexual assault, backdated to when he went into custody last February.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Aug
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man climbed into bed where a woman was sleeping beside her boyfriend and newborn baby and raped her.
  • The woman first thought the man was her partner, then realised it was O'Donnell, and she fled the room.
Where
The offences took place at a home in Donegal.
When
The offences took place on 26 March 2021.
Cause
The judge described the offence as opportunistic and committed on impulse.
Investigation
When confronted, O'Donnell said he did not remember anything happening, and he denied the allegation when interviewed by gardaí.
In court
  • A jury at a Central Criminal Court trial found O'Donnell guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
  • Mark Lynam SC prosecuted the case, and Mr Justice David Keane presided at sentencing.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of nine years for rape and imposed eight years on that count.
  • A concurrent sentence of two years and eight months was imposed for sexual assault.
  • No part of the sentence was suspended, and the sentences were backdated to when O'Donnell went into custody last February.
  • No post-release supervision was imposed because O'Donnell intended to return to the UK.
Other details
  • O'Donnell has not accepted the verdicts or expressed remorse.
  • He was assessed as being at low to moderate risk of reoffending.
26 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man raped a woman as she slept in bed beside her boyfriend and her newborn baby. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatO'Donnell climbed into bed where the couple was sleeping beside their newborn baby and raped the woman. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe woman first thought the man in her bed was her partner, then realised it was O'Donnell. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe rape happened at a home in Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences took place at a home in Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on 26 March 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences took place on March 26, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe judge described the offence as opportunistic and committed on impulse. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationWhen confronted, O'Donnell said he did not remember anything happening. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationO'Donnell denied the allegation when interviewed by gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtO’Donnell was found guilty by a jury of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury found O'Donnell guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault following a Central Criminal Court trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of nine years for rape. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced to eight years for rape. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe received a concurrent sentence of two years and eight months for sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceNo part of the sentence was suspended. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceNo post-release supervision was imposed because he intended to return to the UK. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sentences were backdated to when he went into custody last February. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMr Justice David Keane imposed a sentence of eight years on the rape count. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge gave O'Donnell a concurrent sentence of two years and eight months for the sexual assault charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences were backdated to when O'Donnell went into custody last February. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe court decided not to impose post-release supervision because O'Donnell intended to return to the UK. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe has not accepted the verdicts or expressed remorse. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe was assessed as being at low to moderate risk of reoffending. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherO'Donnell was assessed as being at low to moderate risk of re-offending. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted that O'Donnell has not accepted the verdicts or expressed remorse. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Aug2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man who raped woman as she slept beside boyfriend and newborn baby jailed

    Reports the sentencing of Shaun O'Donnell after a Central Criminal Court trial. No existing case matches this incident.

    convicted, Shaun O'Donnell, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Shaun O'Donnellvictim, female
  2. 7 Aug2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man who raped woman as she slept with boyfriend and baby is jailed

    Sentencing report for a case not in the existing list. Adds the sentence, the judge's remarks, the non-suspension and the backdating to custody.

    convicted, Shaun O'Donnell, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shaun O'Donnellvictim, female