Thursday 29 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. 0276Sexual assault, use of ICT to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child · Co. Clare · 7 Jun 2023

Man sentenced to 22 months for sexual assault and grooming of 13-year-old in Kilrush

Ryce Clohessy, a 23-year-old man from Kilrush, Co Clare, was sentenced at Ennis Circuit Court in September 2026 to 28 months in prison with the final six months suspended for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl on two occasions in June 2023. The offences took place at Vandeleur woodlands on the outskirts of Kilrush, after Clohessy, who was 19 at the time, had met the girl at a christening in May 2023 and groomed her via Snapchat. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and to using information and communication technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child between May 19 and June 22, 2023. Judge Francis Comerford reduced the headline sentence from 40 months to 28 months, noting Clohessy's youth and immaturity at the time of the offences.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced18 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on two occasions and groomed via Snapchat by a 19-year-old man who told her not to tell anyone what they were doing.
Where
The offences took place at Vandeleur woodlands on the outskirts of Kilrush, Co Clare.
When
The pair met at a christening in May 2023, the first assault occurred on June 7, 2023, and the second on June 8, 2023.
Investigation
Garda Conor Flaherty of the Clare Divisional Protective Services Unit gave evidence at the trial.
Charges
Clohessy pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and to using ICT to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child between May 19 and June 22, 2023.
In court
The case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford.
Sentence
Judge Comerford imposed a 28-month prison term with the final six months suspended, reducing the headline sentence from 40 months.
Other details
  • Clohessy was 19 at the time of the offences and had no previous convictions apart from a few road traffic matters.
  • The judge noted that at 19 Clohessy still had the immaturities and impulsiveness of youth.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe girl told gardaí that Clohessy told her not to tell anyone what they were doing. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences took place at Vandeleur woodlands on the outskirts of Kilrush, Co Clare. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences occurred in June 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe two met at a christening in May 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe first physical assault occurred on June 7, 2023, at Vandeleur woods. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe second assault occurred the following day at the same location. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGarda Conor Flaherty of the Clare Divisional Protective Services Unit gave evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeClohessy pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeClohessy pleaded guilty to using ICT to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child between May 19 and June 22, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Comerford imposed a 28-month prison term with the final six months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe headline sentence was 40 months before being reduced to 28 months. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherClohessy was 19 at the time of the offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherClohessy had no previous convictions apart from a few road traffic matters. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge noted that at 19 Clohessy still had immaturities and impulsiveness of youth. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Sep2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man sentenced to 22 months in jail for ‘grooming’ and sexual assault of 13-year-old

    Sentencing details at Ennis Circuit Court including the judge's comments on grooming, the victim's impact statement, and the reduction from a 40-month headline sentence to 28 months with six suspended.

    victim, 13, femaleconvicted, Ryce Clohessy, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryce Clohessy