Ireland Man jailed for five years over indecent assault of two girls in 1970s and 1980s
Michael Griffin, a 76-year-old man with an address on Donore Road in Drogheda, County Louth, pleaded guilty to eight sample counts of indecently assaulting twin sisters Mary and Regina Cooney between 1973 and 1982, when the sisters were aged four to 12. The abuse took place during family visits to the sisters' grandfather's home and to Griffin's home. Griffin initially denied the allegations to gardaí, then pleaded guilty on the date the case was listed for trial. On 29 January 2026 Judge Dara Hayes sentenced him to five years in prison, although one report gives the sentence as five and a half years with the final six months suspended.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 Jan
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 76-year-old man pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting twin sisters Mary and Regina Cooney.
- Where
- Griffin has an address on Donore Road in Drogheda, County Louth.
- The abuse took place during family visits to the sisters' grandfather's home and to Griffin's home.
- When
- The offences were between 1973 and 1982, starting when the sisters were four and continuing until they were 12.
- Cause
- Griffin had married into the family, and the court heard the case involved a serious breach of trust by an older family member.
- Investigation
- Mary Cooney told gardaí she was assaulted by Griffin every Sunday.
- Griffin initially denied the allegations and told gardaí he was baffled by them.
- Charges
- Griffin pleaded guilty to eight sample counts of indecent assault on the date the case was listed for trial.
- In court
- Judge Dara Hayes said the offending was very serious and brazen and happened in plain sight, and that Griffin was 20 years older than the victims.
- Sentence
- On 29 January 2026 Judge Hayes sentenced Griffin to five years in prison.
- One report gives the sentence as five and a half years in prison with the final six months suspended.
- Other details
- The sisters waived their right to anonymity so that Griffin could be named.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA 76-year-old man was jailed for five years for indecently assaulting two young girls in the 1970s and 1980s. (rte.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place during family visits to the home of the sisters' grandfather and the home of Griffin. (rte.ie)
- whenThe abuse began when the sisters were four years old and continued until they were 12. (rte.ie)
- investigationMary Cooney told gardaí she was assaulted by Griffin every Sunday. (rte.ie)
- investigationGriffin initially denied the allegations and told gardaí he was baffled by them. (rte.ie)
- chargeGriffin pleaded guilty to eight sample counts of indecently assaulting twin sisters Mary and Regina Cooney between 1973 and 1982. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Dara Hayes said Griffin's offending had been very serious and brazen. (rte.ie)
- courtThe court heard that the offences involved a significant breach of trust on behalf of an older family member. (rte.ie)
- courtGriffin pleaded guilty on the date the case was listed for trial. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Hayes sentenced Griffin to five and a half years in prison, with the final six months suspended. (rte.ie)
- otherThe sisters waived their right to anonymity so that Griffin could be named. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Jan2026Man jailed for 5 years for indecent assault of two girls
Sentencing report for a historical case. The abuse is said to have taken place from 1973 to 1982, during family visits to the grandfather's home and Griffin's home. Griffin pleaded guilty on the date of trial, and the sisters waived anonymity.
victim, Mary Cooney, 56, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Cooneyvictim, Regina Cooney, 56, female, irish (judged from name)Regina Cooneyconvicted, Michael Griffin, 76, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Griffin