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. 3111Sexual assault · Co. Wicklow

Man jailed for sexually assaulting sleeping woman in Co Wicklow

Philip Dignam, 41, of Blessington, Co Wicklow, was sentenced to eight years in prison (with one year suspended) at the Central Criminal Court for two counts of sexually assaulting Kathleen Morris while she was asleep or unconscious in 2020, having recorded eight videos of the assaults.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPhilip Dignam recorded eight videos of himself sexually assaulting a sleeping woman. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDignam carried out the assaults while Morris slept and sent the videos to a phone previously used by the victim. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDignam pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting Kathleen Morris on dates unknown in 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case had gone for trial four times with delays mainly relating to the provision of video evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge said the offences warranted a headline sentence of nine years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceDignam was sentenced to eight years in prison with the final year suspended on strict conditions including engaging with the Probation Service for three years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMorris and Dignam were in a consensual sexual relationship and would occasionally meet at hotels. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMorris became aware of the assaults in 2022 when her then partner used the phone and saw the videos. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDignam had a prior conviction for possession of child sexual abuse material with a one-year suspended sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMorris wished to waive her anonymity to allow Dignam to be named in reporting. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 May2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man recorded eight videos of himself sexually assaulting sleeping woman

    Reports the sentencing of Philip Dignam to eight years (one year suspended) for two counts of sexual assault on Kathleen Morris in 2020, including the judge's reasoning, the victim's impact, and the fact that the case had previously gone to trial four times.

    victim, Kathleen Morris, female, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Morrisconvicted, Philip Dignam, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Dignam