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. 9789Sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Man jailed for nine years for sexually abusing two young cousins he babysat

Edward McGregor, a 55-year-old man, was jailed for nine years at the Central Criminal Court for sexually abusing his cousins Frances McGregor and Caitriona Carr, two young girls he was babysitting. The abuse took place from 1986 to 1993, when the girls were aged six to 13, mostly at the victims' family home on Donard Avenue, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, and some at McGregor's family home in Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 9. The offending came to light in 2019 when Caitriona Carr told her husband about the abuse, and McGregor later pleaded guilty to multiple sexual assault counts and one count of attempted rape. The latest development is his sentencing, when Justice Eileen Creedon set a headline sentence of 13 years, reduced to 10 years, with the final year suspended for two years, and ordered him to be registered as a sex offender.

  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
  • Edward McGregor, aged 55, was jailed for nine years for sexually abusing two young cousins he was babysitting.
  • McGregor groomed the two girls and subjected them to repeated sexual assaults, including oral rape and attempted rape.
Where
Most of the abuse took place at the victims' family home on Donard Avenue, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, with some at McGregor's family home in Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 9.
When
  • The abuse took place from 1986 to 1993, when the children were aged six up to 13.
  • The offending came to light in 2019 when Caitriona Carr told her husband about the abuse.
  • The sentencing report is dated 1 May 2026 on the tracker, while the article text gives 11 May 2026.
Charges
  • McGregor pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting Frances McGregor and Caitriona Carr by penetration of the mouth with his penis.
  • McGregor later pleaded guilty to another 12 counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape.
In court
Justice Eileen Creedon of the Central Criminal Court noted that McGregor was the designated babysitter for the victims.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of 13 years, reduced to 10 years for mitigating factors including the guilty pleas and McGregor's apology.
  • The final year was suspended for two years and McGregor was ordered to be registered as a sex offender.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEdward McGregor was jailed for nine years for sexually abusing two young cousins he was babysitting. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMcGregor groomed the two girls and subjected them to repeated sexual assaults, including oral rape and attempted rape. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereMost of the abuse took place at the victims' family home on Donard Avenue, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, with some at McGregor's family home in Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 9. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe abuse took place from 1986 to 1993, when the children were aged six up to 13. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offending came to light in 2019 when Caitriona Carr told her husband about the abuse. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeMcGregor pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting Frances McGregor and Caitriona Carr by penetration of the mouth with his penis. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeMcGregor later pleaded guilty to another 12 counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJustice Eileen Creedon noted that McGregor was the designated babysitter for the victims. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 13 years, reduced to 10 years for mitigating factors including the guilty pleas and McGregor's apology. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe final year was suspended for two years and McGregor was ordered to be registered as a sex offender. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man who sexually abused two young cousins he was babysitting jailed for nine years

    Sentencing report for the Central Criminal Court case; details the offences, the headline and final sentence, and the victims' statements.

    convicted, Edward McGregor, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward McGregorvictim, Frances McGregor, female, irish (judged from name)Frances McGregorvictim, Caitriona Carr, female, irish (judged from name)Caitriona Carr