Thursday 29 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. 9809Indecent assault · Co. Dublin

Man jailed for indecent assault on teenage girl in 1990

Patrick O'Brien (74), a man, was convicted after a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of indecently assaulting a teenage girl once at his home between April and September 1990, when she was 15 or 16 and staying there. The woman, now an adult, complained to gardaí after reading a media report about his previous conviction. Her victim impact statement was read to the court by the investigating garda. In May 2026 he was sentenced to three years with the final 12 months suspended, which media reports describe as two years in prison, and was directed to one year of Probation Service supervision after release.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Patrick O'Brien, a man aged 74, was convicted of indecently assaulting a teenage girl.
  • The indecent assault happened once, when the victim was 15 or 16 years old.
When
The offence took place between April and September 1990, over 35 years before sentencing.
Where
The indecent assault happened at the accused's home, where the girl was staying.
Investigation
The woman complained to gardaí after reading a media report about the accused's previous conviction.
Other details
  • In a victim impact statement read by the investigating garda, the woman said the ordeal changed the trajectory of her life.
  • The accused had previously received a suspended 20-month prison sentence in 2022.
  • The article is dated 1 May 2026 on the tracker, but the article page shows 5 May 2026.
In court
The accused was convicted following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed a three-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended for one year, which media reports describe as jailing him for two years.
  • The judge directed the accused to undergo one year of Probation Service supervision after release.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was jailed for two years for indecently assaulting a teenage girl over 35 years ago. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe accused indecently assaulted the girl once while she was staying at his house, when she was either 15 or 16. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe indecent assault happened at the accused's home. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on a date between April and September 1990. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe woman complained to gardaí after reading a media report about the accused's previous conviction. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused was convicted following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a three-year sentence, with the final 12 months suspended for one year. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge directed the accused to undergo one year of Probation Service supervision after release. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused had previously received a suspended 20-month prison sentence in 2022. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man jailed for two years for indecent assault on teenage girl over 35 years ago

    Reports the sentencing after a trial, including the victim impact statement and the sentence terms. No existing case covers this incident.

    convicted, Patrick O'Brien, 74, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick O'Brienvictim, 15 or 16, female