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. 1273Rape (anal rape) · Co. Limerick · 1 Apr 2019

Married farmer Thomas Nyhan jailed for raping vulnerable farmhand twice in Limerick

Thomas 'Tossy' Nyhan, a 60-year-old married farmer from Crookstown, Co Cork, was sentenced on 21 July 2025 to 11½ years (final year suspended) and 8½ years, running concurrently, for the anal rape of a male farmhand in January 2011 and April 2019 at a location in Limerick. Nyhan, who has four children and no previous convictions, was questioned by Gardaí in May 2019 and denied raping the victim, who had remained in regular contact with him after the first offence. He was unanimously convicted by a jury of both counts following an 11-day trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick in May 2025, after which Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring lifted reporting restrictions. The sentences were backdated to 23 June 2025, when Nyhan first entered custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Jul
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Nyhan was charged with two counts of anal rape of a male farmhand, one in January 2011 and one in April 2019.
Where
The rapes occurred at a location in Limerick.
When
The offences took place in January 2011 and April 2019.
Investigation
The investigation was carried out by Gardaí attached to the National Garda Protective Services Bureau at Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick City.
Charges
Nyhan contested two counts of anal rape of the victim.
In court
  • Nyhan was unanimously convicted by a jury of both counts following an 11-day trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick in May 2025.
  • Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring lifted reporting restrictions in May 2025 and directed that the victim be entitled to anonymity.
Sentence
  • Nyhan was sentenced to 11½ years with the final year suspended for the April 2019 rape and 8½ years for the January 2011 rape, both running concurrently.
  • The sentences were backdated to 23 June 2025 (one source gives 23 June 2024) when Nyhan first entered custody.
Other details
  • Nyhan, a married farmer from Crookstown, Co Cork, has four children and no previous convictions.
  • When questioned by Gardaí in May 2019, Nyhan accepted sexual activity had occurred but denied raping the victim.
  • The victim had remained in regular contact with Nyhan following the first rape in 2011.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWhen questioned by Gardaí in May 2019, Nyhan accepted sexual activity had occurred but denied raping the victim. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim remained in regular contact with Nyhan following the first rape in 2011. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe rapes occurred at a location in Limerick. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation was carried out by Gardaí attached to the National Garda Protective Services Bureau at Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick City. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeNyhan contested two counts of anal rape of the victim. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtNyhan was unanimously convicted by a jury of both rapes following an 11-day trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring lifted reporting restrictions allowing Nyhan to be named. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge directed that the victim was entitled to anonymity and ordered that he not be identified. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtNyhan was unanimously convicted by a jury of both rapes after an 11-day trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick in May 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring lifted reporting restrictions in May 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceNyhan was sentenced to 11½ years with the final year suspended for raping the man in April 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceNyhan received a second sentence of 8½ years for raping the man in January 2011. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBoth sentences are to run concurrent to each other. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sentences were backdated to 23 June 2025 when Nyhan first entered custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceNyhan was sentenced to 11.5 years with the final year suspended for the April 2019 rape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceNyhan received a second sentence of 8.5 years for the January 2011 rape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceBoth sentences run concurrent to each other. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences were backdated to 23 June 2024 when Nyhan first entered custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNyhan has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted Nyhan knew the victim had not told anyone of the 2011 rape and had the confidence to rape again in 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim had remained in regular contact with Nyhan following the first rape in 2011. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNyhan has four children. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Jul2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Tears in court as married father of four jailed for rape of vulnerable farmhand

    Reports the sentencing, the victim's impact statement, trial details including DNA evidence, and the judge's comments on the 'serious and sinister' nature of the offences.

    victim, maleconvicted, 60, male, irish (judged from name)
  2. 21 Jul2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Married farmer to serve almost 10 years in jail for rape of another man

    Reports the sentencing of Thomas Nyhan for two counts of anal rape, with both sentences running concurrently and backdated to 23 June 2025.

    victim, maleconvicted, 60, male, irish (judged from name)