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. 5277Sexual assault · Co. Wexford · 8 Oct 2022

Man sentenced for sexual assault of partner at Co. Wexford home

A 33-year-old man was convicted at a Central Criminal Court trial in 2025 of one count of sexual assault of his partner at their Co. Wexford home on 8 October 2022. The jury acquitted him of one count of rape and disagreed on two further counts of sexual assault. On 10 February 2026 he was sentenced to three years with six months suspended, reported as two and a half years in jail. Defence counsel said he maintains his innocence and there will be no appeal against sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 33-year-old man was convicted of one count of sexual assault of the woman at their Co. Wexford home on 8 October 2022.
  • The man was acquitted of one count of rape, and the jury disagreed on two further counts of sexual assault.
  • The man came home late while the woman was in bed, asked for sex, and she said no.
  • The woman later woke to the man digitally penetrating her, told him to stop, and he did not stop immediately until she pushed him away.
  • The woman sent a text saying he had no right to touch her after she had said no, and he replied with an apology.
  • The man said his text replies were to general arguments in the relationship, denied the sexual assault, and claimed the allegations were fabrications linked to issues after the breakup.
Where
The offence occurred at the couple's home in Co. Wexford, where they were living together.
When
The trial was held at the Central Criminal Court in 2025.
Investigation
Conor O'Doherty SC prosecuted the case, and an investigating garda gave evidence.
Sentence
The judge set a headline sentence of three years and six months and imposed three years with six months suspended for 18 months to encourage rehabilitation, reported as two and a half years in jail.
Other details
  • The man has no previous convictions and had an exemplary work record, with an employer testimonial and positive references describing him as loving and caring.
  • In her victim impact statement the woman said she struggled mentally, felt damaged and broken, suffered nightmares, and felt unsafe in her own home.
  • Defence counsel said the man maintains his innocence and there will be no appeal against sentence.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man was convicted of one count of sexual assault of the woman at their Co. Wexford home on 8 October 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man was acquitted of one count of rape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe jury disagreed on two further counts of sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man came home late while the woman was in bed, asked for sex, and she said no. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe woman later woke to the man digitally penetrating her. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatShe told him to stop and he did not do so immediately until she pushed him away. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe woman sent a text saying he did not have a right to touch her after she had said no, and he replied with an apology. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDuring the trial the man said his text responses were in reply to general arguments in the relationship and denied the sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man claimed the allegations were fabrications in response to issues that arose after their breakup. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of three years and six months but imposed a sentence of three years with six months suspended for 18 months to encourage rehabilitation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIn her victim impact statement the woman said she struggled mentally, felt damaged and broken, suffered nightmares and felt unsafe in her own home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the client maintains his innocence but there will not be an appeal against sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man had an exemplary work record and a testimonial from his employer was handed in. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherOther references outlined a loving and caring man who was actively involved with his family. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Feb2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man who sexually assaulted sleeping partner learns his fate

    Sentencing details: headline sentence of three years and six months reduced to three years with six months suspended for 18 months to encourage rehabilitation. Factors included the offence occurring in the woman's home, the man not immediately stopping when asked, breach of trust, and impact on the victim. Mitigating factors included exemplary work record, no prior convictions, and positive references.

    victim, femaleconvicted, 33, male