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. 6331Indecent assault

Man loses bid to halt trial over alleged indecent assault on child in late 1980s

A man has failed to stop his trial for alleged indecent assault on a child between January 1987 and December 1988, about 36 years before the March 2024 reports. The sources give no county or location and do not name the man. The complainant made a statement to gardaí in December 2017, gardaí interviewed the man in April 2019, and the DPP directed a prosecution in August 2021, leaving him facing a single charge of indecent assault. In March 2024, Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger rejected his bid to halt the trial over inordinate delay and stress, despite the DPP's opposition, and the trial is due later this year.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Mar
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man failed to stop his trial for alleged indecent assault on a child.
When
The alleged offence occurred between January 1987 and December 1988, about 36 years before the reports.
Investigation
  • The complainant made a statement to gardaí in December 2017.
  • Gardaí interviewed the man in April 2019.
Charges
  • The DPP directed a prosecution of the man in August 2021.
  • The man faces a single charge of indecent assault.
In court
  • He applied to stop the trial, arguing inordinate delay and heightened stress and anxiety made it unfair.
  • The DPP opposed the application.
  • Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger rejected the application, finding no inordinate, culpable or unjust delay.
  • The trial is due to take place later this year.
Other details
  • The trial may be managed with breaks, shorter hearing days and a support person.
  • Separate reports on a garda named Mark Duffy, 39, concern burglary and perverting the course of justice charges and do not mention this indecent assault charge.
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Dublin-based garda is to stand trial accused of burglary and perverting the course of justice. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA Dublin-based garda is to stand trial accused of perverting the course of justice and burglary. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man failed to stop his trial for alleged indecent assault on a child. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged burglary took place at Kenilworth Road, Dublin 6. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe detective sergeant said he met the accused by appointment on March 7th at Irishtown Garda station to be charged. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe burglary is alleged to have happened on June 19, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence occurred between January 1987 and December 1988. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda anti-corruption unit has been investigating the activities of a particular Garda unit based in the Dublin region. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe investigation has led to the arrest of four officers who are currently suspended from duty. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHe met Detective Sergeant Paul Dowling by appointment on March 7 at Irishtown Garda Station to be charged. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe complainant made a statement to gardaí in December 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí interviewed the man in April 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is accused of an act between August 28th and December 20th, 2021, with intent to pervert the course of public justice. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is alleged to have entered a flat as a trespasser on June 19th, 2021, at Kenilworth Road, Dublin 6, to commit an arrestable offence. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with the two offences eleven minutes after his arrest and made no reply to each charge. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is accused of an act intended to pervert the course of public justice between August 28 and December 20, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with the two offences eleven minutes after his arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man faces a single charge of indecent assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe DPP directed a prosecution of the man in August 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGarda Mark Duffy arrived at Dublin District Court on a Tuesday wearing a beanie hat and a face mask, after being given station bail the previous week. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe has not yet indicated a plea. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment, so the case will be dealt with in the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge extended the time limit for completing the book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on May 17th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe appeared at Dublin District Court before Judge Treasa Kelly after being given station bail the previous week. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment, meaning the case will be dealt with in the Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDefence solicitor Donal Quigley said the State was seeking a 10-week adjournment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on May 17. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Marguerite Bolger rejected the argument that the trial should not proceed because of inordinate delay. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP opposed the application to stop the trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge found no evidence of inordinate, culpable or unjust delay. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe successfully applied for legal aid through his solicitor. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was dressed in a black suit and stood silently throughout the brief hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe trial may be managed with breaks, shorter hearing days and a support person. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Mar2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man fails to stop trial for alleged indecent assault on child more than 35 years ago

    Reports the ruling rejecting the accused's application to stop his trial over delay and stress, and that the trial will proceed later this year.

    accused, malevictim, male
  2. 12 Mar2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Garda to stand trial accused of perverting the course of justice and burglary

    First court appearance of a garda charged with perverting the course of justice and burglary; the DPP has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.

    accused, Mark Duffy, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Duffyvictim, male
  3. 12 Mar2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Garda to stand trial accused of burglary and perverting course of justice

    First report on this case. Mark Duffy was charged, the DPP directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, and the next court date is May 17th.

    accused, Mark Duffy, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Duffy