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. 10223Sexual assault · Co. Sligo

Man jailed for six years over sexual assault of teenage girl in Sligo alleyway

In April 2023, a 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in a dark alley in Sligo. Ziaullhaq Safi, a 37-year-old Afghan man, was convicted by a unanimous jury at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court of sexual assault, and was also convicted of providing remuneration to a child for sexual exploitation, after the jury returned its verdict on 13 March. He had been held on remand since that verdict. At sentencing in April 2026, Judge Roderick Maguire jailed him for six years, with a concurrent term of four years and three months on the second charge.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Ziaullhaq Safi was convicted by a unanimous jury of sexual assault at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court.
  • Safi was also convicted of providing remuneration to a child for sexual exploitation.
  • During the attack, Safi forcibly kissed the 16-year-old girl and pulled up her top.
Where
The assault took place in a dark alley in Sligo.
When
The offences took place in April 2023.
Investigation
The jury heard from 13 witnesses and viewed CCTV footage.
In court
  • The jury found Safi guilty on 13 March.
  • Safi was in custody on remand from the guilty verdict until sentencing.
  • Safi appeared for sentencing before Judge Roderick Maguire.
  • Sentencing was reported in April 2026; one article is dated 1 April 2026 and the page timestamp reads 13 April 2026.
Sentence
  • Safi was jailed for six years.
  • A concurrent term of four years and three months was imposed for the second charge.
Other details
  • A victim impact statement was read in court by Detective Garda Kieran Higgins.
  • Safi had no prior convictions.
  • Safi is described in the reporting as a former teacher from Afghanistan.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatZiaullhaq Safi was convicted by a jury of sexual assault at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatSafi was also convicted of providing remuneration to a child for sexual exploitation. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatSafi forcibly kissed the complainant and pulled up her top during the attack. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place in a dark alley in Sligo. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place in April 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe jury heard from 13 witnesses and viewed CCTV footage. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtSafi appeared for sentencing before Judge Roderick Maguire. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtSafi had been in custody on remand since the jury found him guilty on 13 March. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceSafi was jailed for six years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceSafi received a concurrent term of four years and three months for the second charge. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherA victim impact statement was read in court by Detective Garda Kieran Higgins. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherSafi had no prior convictions. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Apr2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man who overpowered and sexually assaulted teenage girl in alleyway jailed for six years

    Reports the sentencing of Ziaullhaq Safi, who was convicted by jury and sentenced to six years, with a concurrent term of four years and three months on the second charge.

    convicted, Ziaullhaq Safi, 37, male, Afghan, named, non-irishZiaullhaq Safivictim, 16, female