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. 6043Sexual assault · Co. Donegal

Man jailed for three years for sexually abusing neighbour as a child

Paul O'Brien, 47, of Forest Park, Killygordon, County Donegal, was charged with sexually abusing Grace Kelly, his neighbour, when she was between nine and 10 years old. The offences were committed between January 1 and December 1995, when O'Brien was 19. He pleaded not guilty to 15 counts of sexual assault at the Central Criminal Court, and a jury found him guilty of six counts after a nine-day trial last November. On 22 April 2024, Mr Justice David Keane jailed him for three years, and O'Brien maintains his innocence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The abuse involved kissing the victim, making her touch his penis and kissing her breasts.
Where
O'Brien lives at Forest Park, Killygordon, County Donegal.
When
The offences were committed on dates between January 1 and December 1995.
Investigation
The victim told her sibling, and they agreed to report O'Brien to the Gardaí.
Charges
O'Brien pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 15 counts of sexual assault.
In court
  • A jury found O'Brien guilty of six of the counts after a nine-day trial last November.
  • O'Brien does not accept the jury's verdict and maintains his innocence.
Sentence
  • Mr Justice David Keane jailed O'Brien for three years on 22 April 2024.
  • The judge said the offence was at the more serious end of a sexual offence and took into account the victim's age, vulnerability and psychological damage.
Other details
  • The victim was between nine and 10 years old and O'Brien was 19 at the time of the offences.
  • O'Brien had no previous convictions before or since the offence.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe abuse involved kissing the victim and making her touch his penis and kissing her breasts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offender lives at Forest Park, Killygordon, County Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offences were committed on dates between January 1 and December 1995. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe victim told her sibling, and they agreed to report O’Brien to the Gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeO’Brien pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 15 counts of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA jury found O’Brien guilty of six of the counts after a nine-day trial last November. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtO’Brien does not accept the jury’s verdict and maintains his innocence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMr Justice David Keane jailed O’Brien for three years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said the offence was at the more serious end of a sexual offence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim was between nine and 10 years old at the time, and O’Brien was 19. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherO’Brien had no previous convictions before or since the offence. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Apr2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man jailed for three years for sexually abusing neighbour when she was a child

    Reports the sentencing: three years' imprisonment imposed by Mr Justice David Keane, a jury verdict on six of 15 counts, the victim's victim impact statement, and that O’Brien maintains his innocence.

    convicted, Paul O'Brien, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul O'Brienvictim, Grace Kelly, 39, female, irish (judged from name)Grace Kelly