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. 7142Sexual assault · Co. Cork

Man jailed in Cork for sexual assaults on woman

Robert Hull, 49, from Lotamore Drive in Mayfield, Cork, was a care assistant working with an organisation that provides services for people with intellectual disabilities. He sexually assaulted a young woman with a mild intellectual disability in his car in Cork city on dates unknown between April and August 2019, and her brother notified gardaí. Hull was arrested for questioning after meeting gardaí by appointment on 21 April 2021. In November 2023 he pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to three sexual assault charges, and Judge James McCourt jailed him for three years and six months, with the last three months suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Robert Hull, 49, was jailed for sexually assaulting a young woman while working as a care assistant.
  • The woman has a mild intellectual disability and was a protected person under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.
  • Hull was working with an organisation providing services for people with intellectual disabilities and got to know the woman through a male service user who was friendly with her, though he had no involvement in her care.
  • Hull admitted performing oral sex on the woman, touching her breasts and digitally penetrating her.
  • Hull also sent the woman sexually suggestive images and messages on Facebook Messenger.
Where
  • Hull admitted the assaults happened in his car in Cork city after he had finished a shift caring for the woman's friend.
  • Hull is from Lotamore Drive in Mayfield, Cork.
When
The assaults happened on dates unknown between April and August 2019.
Investigation
  • The woman's brother notified gardaí.
  • Hull met gardaí by appointment on 21 April 2021 and was arrested for questioning.
Charges
Hull pleaded guilty to three separate sexual assault charges at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
In court
The judge said the woman was easily led and manipulated, so a custodial sentence was required.
Sentence
Judge James McCourt sentenced Hull to three years and six months in jail, with the last three months suspended on condition he keep the peace and be of good behaviour on release.
Other details
  • Mitigation included Hull's early guilty plea, apology and remorse, previous good character and good behaviour since.
  • No victim-impact statements were provided because the family chose not to tell the woman about the case.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRobert Hull was jailed for sexually assaulting a young woman while working as a care assistant. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHull was working with an organisation providing services for people with intellectual disabilities. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHull admitted performing oral sex on the woman, touching her breasts and digitally penetrating her. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHull admitted the assaults happened in his car in Cork city after he had finished a shift caring for the woman's friend. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHull is from Lotamore Drive in Mayfield, Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe assaults happened on dates unknown between April and August 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe woman's brother notified gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHull met gardaí by appointment on April 21st, 2021, and was arrested for questioning. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHull pleaded guilty to three separate sexual assault charges. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge said Hull had sexually assaulted someone who was easily led and manipulated, so a custodial sentence was required. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHull was sentenced to three years and six months in jail, with the last three months suspended on condition he keep the peace and be of good behaviour on release. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHull also sent the woman sexually suggestive images and messages on Facebook Messenger. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNo victim-impact statements were provided because the family chose not to tell the woman about the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMitigating factors included Hull's early guilty plea, apology and remorse, previous good character and good behaviour since. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Nov2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man jailed in Cork for sexual assaults on woman

    Reports the guilty plea, the court facts, the admissions, mitigation and the sentence imposed by Judge James McCourt.

    convicted, Robert Hull, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Hullvictim, female