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. 6301Sexual assault · Co. Dublin · 4 Feb 2022

Moldovan man convicted of sexual assault of girl, 14, at Dublin bus stop

Anatol Botnari, a 24-year-old Moldovan man of Clonsilla, Dublin, was convicted of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop on the city's north side on 4 February 2022. It was alleged that he put his arm around her waist and touched her over her clothing, and he denied the charge, saying he bumped into her. Gardaí arrested him and sent a file to the DPP, and after a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court, Judge Monika Leech found him guilty in March 2024. Sentencing was adjourned to May for a victim impact statement and a probation report, and he remains on €750 bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted15 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Anatol Botnari, a 24-year-old Moldovan man, was convicted of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop in Dublin.
  • It was alleged that he put his arm around the waist of the girl and touched her vagina over her clothing.
Where
The incident happened at a bus stop on the city's north side in Dublin.
When
The incident happened on 4 February 2022 between 9pm and 9.20pm.
Other details
  • Botnari denied the charge and said he bumped into the girl; the judge did not accept that he tripped.
  • The judge said the girl was a reliable witness, and CCTV showed he directly approached her with intent to commit the sexual assault.
  • He had taken a large quantity of alcohol and had no prior convictions, as agreed by the prosecution and defence.
  • After the incident, locals attacked him; he suffered head injuries and was hospitalised.
  • He remains on €750 bail and has handed over his passport to gardaí.
  • The case details list the victim as a woman, 14, while the articles describe a girl aged 14.
Investigation
He was arrested and a file was sent to the DPP.
Charges
He was charged with sexual assault.
In court
A non-jury trial was held at Dublin District Court, where Judge Monika Leech found him guilty.
Sentence
Sentencing was adjourned so a victim impact statement and a probation report could be prepared for when the case resumes in May.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was convicted of sexual assault for groping a teenage girl at a bus stop in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatIt was alleged that he put his arm around the waist of a 14-year-old girl and touched her on the vagina over her clothing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at a bus stop in the city's north side. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 4 February 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened between 9pm and 9.20pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHe was arrested and a file was sent to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Monika Leech found him guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceSentencing was adjourned so a victim impact statement could be prepared. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceA probation report was requested for when the case resumes in May. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the teenage girl was a reliable witness. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge did not accept that the accused tripped. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCCTV showed he directly approached the girl with intent to commit the sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe had taken a large quantity of alcohol. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe had no prior convictions, as agreed by the prosecution and defence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAfter the incident, locals attacked him and he suffered head injuries and was hospitalised. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe remains on €750 bail and has handed over his passport to gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Mar2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Moldovan man, 24, guilty of sexual assault for groping girl, 14, at bus stop

    Reports the conviction after a non-jury trial. Sentencing is adjourned to May pending a victim impact statement and a probation report.

    convicted, Anatol Botnari, 24, male, Moldovan, named, non-irishAnatol Botnarivictim, 14, female