Sunday 1 November 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. 23657Sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Military judge continues reporting restrictions at court martial for sexual assault conviction

At a General Court Martial hearing at McKee Barracks on 5 December 2022, counsel for The Irish Times and other media organisations argued for the right to report on a case involving a mid-ranking military officer convicted of sexual assault. Military judge Colonel Michael Campion declined to rule on the media's right of audience but continued the reporting restrictions, with a pre-sentencing hearing scheduled for 1 February 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted8 Dec
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe sexual assault occurred approximately two years before the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA mid-ranking military officer was found guilty of sexually assaulting a female soldier after a social function at a military barracks. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA General Court Martial hearing was held at McKee Barracks on Thursday 5 December 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe media challenged the imposition of reporting restrictions on the court martial proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe officer was cleared of three other counts of the same offence following a six-week trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtReporting restrictions were in place throughout the trial and continued following conviction. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe officer is to appear for a pre-sentencing hearing on 1 February 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFeargal Kavanagh SC, representing the convicted officer, strongly opposed the media's application, calling it a major distraction. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMilitary judge Colonel Michael Campion declined to rule on the right of audience matter. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Dec2022
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Military judge hears arguments over media’s right to report on court martial

    Reports on the legal argument at the court martial regarding the media's right of audience and reporting restrictions; the judge continued restrictions and kept the matter under review.

    victim, femaleconvicted, male