Friday 30 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. 14137Sexual assault · Co. Kildare

Man jailed over 1999 sexual assault of eight-year-old cousin in Co Kildare

A 40-year-old man was jailed over the sexual assault of his eight-year-old cousin, a woman, at an address in Co Kildare during the summer of 1999, when he was 15 and staying at the family home. He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault, which the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard carried a maximum sentence of five years at the time. He was sentenced to three years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The latest development was the sentence, reported on 26 March 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced26 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man sexually assaulted his eight-year-old cousin, a woman, almost 25 years ago.
Where
The offence took place at an address in Co Kildare, in the family home where the man was staying.
When
The offence took place during the summer of 1999.
Other details
  • The man was 15 at the time of the offending, and the victim was eight.
  • Four incidents of sexual assault took place during the summer stay.
  • The victim said in a victim impact statement that the abuse changed the trajectory of her life.
  • The defence asked the court to take into account the man's guilty pleas, expressions of remorse, acceptance of responsibility and young age at the time.
  • The man has no previous convictions, and the judge noted the offences were committed as a juvenile and took place over 25 years ago.
Charges
The man pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault.
In court
  • The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
  • The maximum sentence for sexual assault at the time was five years.
Investigation
An investigating garda outlined the man's age at the time of the offending.
Sentence
The man was given a three-year sentence, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man sexually abused his eight-year-old cousin almost 25 years ago. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place at an address in Co Kildare. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place during the summer of 1999. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe man pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe maximum sentence at the time for sexual assault was five years. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was given a three-year term with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe man was 15 at the time of the offending and the victim was eight. (rte.ie)
  • otherFour incidents of sexual assault took place in the family home where the man was staying for the summer. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe victim said the abuse changed the trajectory of her life. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe defence asked the court to take into account the man's guilty pleas, expressions of remorse, acceptance of responsibility and young age at the time. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe man has no previous convictions. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted the man committed the offences as a juvenile and that they took place over 25 years ago. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Mar2025
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Man jailed for sexual abuse of cousin 25 years ago

    First report of this case. Gives the court outcome: a three-year sentence with the final two years suspended. Adds the victim impact statement, the man's age at the time, and mitigation given by his defence.

    convicted, 40, malevictim, 8, female