Saturday 31 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. 20372Coercive control, sexual assault, false imprisonment, assault causing harm, criminal damage · Co. Clare

Man on trial for coercive control, sexual assault and false imprisonment in Ennis

A 49-year-old man from County Clare is on trial at Ennis Circuit Court for coercive control, 12 counts of sexual assault, six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault causing harm and one count of criminal damage relating to his then-wife. The alleged offences span from October 2018 to February 2020, with the coercive control charge covering the period from January to May 2019. He pleaded not guilty to all 22 charges. The trial, presided over by Judge Francis Comerford, began in July 2023 and is expected to run to the end of the following week. The complainant and her daughter made audio recordings of interactions, which the jury was told would make for difficult listening.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The State's case is that a 49-year-old man from County Clare exerted coercive control through verbal threats and physical conduct on his then-wife, and that the marriage was characterised in its latter stages by verbal and then physical abuse.
Where
The alleged sexual assaults took place at two separate addresses, and after the couple separated the man moved to a house a few hundred yards away.
When
The alleged offences span from 15 October 2018 to February 2020, with the coercive control charge covering 1 January 2019 to 15 May 2019.
Charges
The man pleaded not guilty to 22 charges including 12 counts of sexual assault, six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault causing harm, one count of criminal damage and one count of coercive control.
In court
  • The trial is being held at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford, with Shane Costelloe SC prosecuting.
  • The jury consists of seven men and five women, and the trial is expected to continue to the end of the following week.
Other details
  • The complainant and her daughter made audio recordings of interactions between the parents, which the jury was told would make for difficult listening.
  • The couple are now divorced.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is a 49-year-old man from County Clare. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe State's case is that the accused exerted coercive control through verbal threats and physical conduct that had a serious effect on his then wife. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe marriage was characterised in its latter stages by verbal and then physical abuse. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe alleged sexual assaults took place at two separate addresses. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereAfter the couple separated, the man moved to a house a few hundred yards away. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe coercive control charge covers the period from 1 January 2019 to 15 May 2019. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe first alleged sexual assault is said to have occurred on 15 October 2018. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe final sexual assault charge relates to an incident in February 2020. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe man pleaded not guilty to a total of 22 separate charges. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeThe charges include 12 counts of sexual assault, six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault causing harm, one count of criminal damage and one coercive control charge. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe trial is being held at Ennis Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe complainant was in the body of the court to hear the opening remarks and was to give evidence on Wednesday. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe daughter was also to give evidence. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe jury consists of seven men and five women. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford is presiding over the trial. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtCounsel for the State is Shane Costelloe SC. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe trial is expected to continue to the end of the following week. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe couple are now divorced. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe complainant and her daughter made audio recordings of interactions between the parents. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jul2023
    In courtclareecho.ie, first report
    Jury told that audio recordings made by mother and daughter in coercive control trial make for 'difficult listening' - Clare Echo

    Opening remarks at the trial; the accused pleaded not guilty to 22 charges; jury told about audio recordings made by the complainant and her daughter; trial expected to continue to the end of the week.

    accused, 49, malevictim, female