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. 9440Sexual assault · Co. Longford

Man jailed for sexually assaulting girl in Longford

Niall McGowan (32), of Newtownforbes, Co Longford, was found guilty by a jury at Longford Circuit Court of five counts of sexual assault on a girl, who was ten at the time of the alleged offences. The offences were alleged to have taken place at his residence between July 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020. The allegations came to light when the girl confided in her best friend, and the jury returned a majority verdict of 11-1 on all five counts. On 23 May 2026 Judge Connolly sentenced McGowan at Longford Circuit Court to seven years, with the final 18 months suspended, so he is jailed for five and a half years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Niall McGowan was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault on a girl.
  • The sources give the victim's age as ten, and one headline says the abuse began when she was nine.
Where
The offences took place at the defendant's residence in County Longford.
When
  • The offences took place between July 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020.
  • The victim was sexually assaulted for up to seven months.
Cause
Judge Connolly said the defendant broke a very significant breach of trust.
Investigation
The allegations came to light when the complainant confided in her best friend.
Charges
McGowan was found guilty by a jury, with a majority verdict of 11-1 on all five counts.
In court
McGowan was sentenced at Longford Circuit Court, with the case reported on 23 May 2026.
Sentence
  • McGowan was jailed for five and a half years.
  • Judge Connolly imposed a seven-year prison sentence and suspended the final 18 months.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNiall McGowan was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault on a ten-year-old victim. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at the defendant's residence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place between July 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe victim was sexually assaulted for up to seven months. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeJudge Connolly said the defendant broke a very significant breach of trust. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe allegations came to light when the complainant confided in her best friend. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtMcGowan was sentenced at Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe jury returned a majority verdict of 11-1 on all five counts. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMcGowan was jailed for five and a half years. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Connolly imposed a seven-year prison sentence and suspended the final 18 months. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 May2026
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    'Broke trust in the worst way' Man who sexually abused girl (9) in Longford is jailed

    Reports the sentencing at Longford Circuit Court of Niall McGowan, found guilty by a jury of five counts of sexual assault on a child. No existing case matched.

    convicted, Niall McGowan, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall McGowanvictim, female