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. 8477Sexual assault and child exploitation · Co. Donegal

Newtowncunningham man found guilty of sexual offences against boys awaits sentencing

Martin Joseph 'Joe' Cullen, a 64-year-old man with an address in Colehill, Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, was found guilty in July after a five-day trial of seven counts of sexual assault against five boys aged between 8 and 13. The assaults are dated between 1993 and 2007. He also pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge relating to an offence dated 2008 to 2010. He was brought before Judge Roderick Maguire at Letterkenny Courthouse from Midlands Prison. The latest development is that he is due to be sentenced on Friday, July 31, at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted25 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Five boys were the victims of seven counts of sexual assault.
  • The victims were aged between 8 and 13 and were touched on the genitals and buttocks, and some were shown pornography on a phone.
When
The sexual assault offences took place between 1993 and 2007.
Where
Cullen has an address in Colehill, Newtowncunningham, County Donegal.
Charges
Cullen pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge relating to an offence dated between 2008 and 2010.
In court
  • Cullen was found guilty in July after a five-day trial of seven counts of sexual assault against five boys.
  • Cullen was brought before Judge Roderick Maguire at Letterkenny Courthouse from custody at Midlands Prison.
Sentence
Cullen will be sentenced on Friday, July 31, at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Other details
Cullen has no previous convictions.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victims were aged between 8 and 13 and were touched on the genitals and buttocks, and some were shown pornography on a phone. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe sexual assault offences took place between 1993 and 2007. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCullen pleaded guilty to a separate charge of child exploitation relating to an offence dated between 2008 and 2010. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtCullen was found guilty in July after a five-day trial of seven counts of sexual assault against five boys. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtCullen was brought before Judge Roderick Maguire at Letterkenny Courthouse from custody at Midlands Prison. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceCullen will be sentenced on Friday, July 31, at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherCullen has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jul2026
    Convicteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Newtowncunningham 'predator' to be sentenced for sex offences

    Reports Cullen's conviction after a five-day trial and his guilty plea to child exploitation, and gives the sentencing date of Friday, July 31 at Letterkenny Circuit Court. The offences are dated between 1993 and 2007, with the child exploitation offence dated 2008 to 2010.

    convicted, Martin Joseph 'Joe' Cullen, 64, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Joseph 'Joe' Cullen