Ireland Case No. 3502Rape, indecent assault · Co. Dublin
Michael Poole, 65, jailed for 12 years for raping niece Lisa Brown between 1980 and 1988
Michael Poole, 65, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of 14 counts of raping his niece Lisa Brown, 52, on dates between 1980 and 1988, and eight counts of indecent assault. Judge Patrick McGrath sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment on 20 March 2026, after the court heard the victim had been rebuffed on two occasions when she tried to report the abuse to gardaí.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Mar
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports31 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Poole was unanimously convicted by a jury of 14 counts of raping Lisa Brown on dates between 1980 and 1988 (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe abuse took place in the family home in Finglas West. (irishmirror.ie)
- wherePoole lives at Bowbridge, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe abuse started when the victim was seven and continued until she was 14. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe victim attempted to report the abuse to gardai on two occasions but was rebuffed. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationShe also tried to make a complaint when she had her baby in 2001. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe victim had twice attempted to make a complaint to gardaí about the abuse but was rebuffed (irishtimes.com)
- chargePoole was convicted of 14 counts of raping Lisa Brown on dates between 1980 and 1988. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was also convicted of eight counts of indecent assault. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargePoole pleaded guilty to 27 counts of indecent assault but denied the rape charges. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial took place in February 2026 at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial took place in February 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMr Justice Patrick McGrath jailed Poole for 12 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was 14 years, with the final two years suspended and backdated for time in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge Patrick McGrath sentenced Poole to 12 years in prison (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was 14 years with the final two years suspended, backdated for time in custody (irishtimes.com)
- otherPoole was born with a thalidomide defect and has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim wished to waive her anonymity to allow her abuser to be named. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe DPP's view was based on the position of trust, the family home setting, age disparity, severity of abuse, and abuse of power. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPoole has been on disability payments from the early 1990s. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPoole suffers from a depressive disorder and has made numerous attempts on his life. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, and night terrors. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition causing widespread pain and fatigue. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAt 20 years old, the victim took an overdose due to shame and hopelessness. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim has built a marriage and raised two children. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim wished to waive her anonymity to allow the abuser to be named (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe abuser was 13 years the victim's senior (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder with intrusive memories, flashbacks and nightmares (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe DPP's view was based on position of trust, abuse in the family home, age disparity, severity of abuse, and abuse of power (irishtimes.com)
- otherPoole was previously admitted to hospital due to sepsis (irishtimes.com)
- otherPoole can ambulate but uses a wheelchair (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Mar2026Woman raped by uncle was ‘rebuffed’ when she attempted to report abuse to gardaí, court told
Reports the sentencing and trial details, including the victim's account of being rebuffed at Finglas Garda station in 1990 and again in 2001, the DPP's view that the offending was in a more serious category, and mitigation based on Poole's thalidomide birth defect and health conditions.
victim, Lisa Brown, 52, female, irish (judged from name)Lisa Brownconvicted, Michael Poole, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Poole - 20 Mar2026Man, 65, who repeatedly raped and sexually abused niece is named in court
Reports the sentencing of Michael Poole to 12 years' imprisonment, the victim's impact statement, details of the DPP's sentencing range, and the court's findings on the position of trust and family home setting.
victim, Lisa Brown, 52, female, irish (judged from name)Lisa Brownconvicted, Michael Poole, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Poole