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. 1958Attempted rape, sexual assault, threatening to kill or cause serious harm · Co. Limerick

Man jailed for eight years for sexual abuse of stepdaughter in Co Limerick

A 54-year-old foreign national was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment (final 12 months suspended) at the Central Criminal Court for attempted rape, sexual assault and threatening to kill his teenage stepdaughter at their family home in Co Limerick between 2011 and 2019. He was also given a two-year post-release supervision order with conditions barring contact with children and the victim's family.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Apr
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
36 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKeane was working as a technician making contact lenses at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA colleague caught their hand in a machine on the line next to Keane. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKeane's body formed a barrier between himself and a release lever when he ran to help. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKeane got his own hand caught on internal gridding and his little finger on the right hand was bent backwards. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKeane held the machine lid ajar for 30-60 seconds until co-workers freed the colleague with a crowbar. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe injury affected the nerves in his hand and damaged his elbow, shoulder and back. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKeane was left with a painful, frozen shoulder and a loss of grip in his hand. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKeane could not find work because of the injury. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKeane would have been earning €1,300 a week net if still working at Johnson & Johnson. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKeane's wife Karen testified that the accident completely changed him. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe child was aged between eight and 10 at the time of the attempted rape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe child was between 14 and 15 at the time of the sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe child was between 13 and 16 at the time of the threat to kill. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe attempted rape occurred while they were lying on a bed and he stopped when she screamed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe sexual assault occurred when she was sitting on the couch in pyjamas and he reached from behind and grabbed her breasts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offences occurred at the family home in Co Limerick between 2011 and 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe workplace incident occurred on 10 September 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe threat occurred on a night when her mother was working late. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe man threatened to kill the girl with a knife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA complaint was made to Gardaí in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was convicted of attempted rape, sexual assault and threatening to kill or cause the child serious harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMr Justice Coffey awarded Keane €944,074.46 in damages. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe award included €135,000 for general damages, €408,943.50 for future loss of earnings, and €154,605 for loss of earnings since the accident. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe balance of the award comprised loss of pension rights, special damages and medical costs. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe man was sentenced to eight years with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceHe was directed to place himself under Probation Services supervision for two years and given a two-year post-release supervision order. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceAs a condition, he must not engage in any occupation or pastime bringing him into contact with children. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceHe is to have no contact with the victim, her mother or family. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe played at senior level from 2000 to 2006. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBefore the incident, Keane had overcome alcoholism, rebuilt his career and was financially stable. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJohnson & Johnson did not accept responsibility for Keane's claim of injury to his right shoulder. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe man has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man is a foreign national. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man told Gardaí that the victim and her mother were trying to destroy him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the man maintains his innocence. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Apr2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man jailed after threat to kill stepdaughter when confronted over sexual abuse

    Sentencing report detailing the full sentence, post-release supervision conditions, trial evidence including the victim's account of the incidents, the mother's victim impact statement, and defence submissions.

    convicted, 54, male, non-irish (judged from name)victim, female
  2. 1 Apr2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    High Court awards former Limerick hurler €950,000 over injuries sustained working for Johnson & Johnson

    Reports the High Court judgment awarding damages to the plaintiff for a workplace injury.

    victim, Mark Keane, 43, male, irish (judged from name)Mark Keane