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. 8397Sexual offences · Co. Donegal

Newtowncunningham man jailed for 11 years over historic sex offences

Between 1993 and 2007, Martin Joseph 'Joe' Cullen, 64, who has an address in Colehill, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, sexually assaulted five boys. He pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge for an offence dated between 2008 and 2010. He went into custody at the end of a first trial in 2025 and was found guilty in July 2026 after a five-day trial. On 31 July 2026, Judge Roderick Maguire at Letterkenny Circuit Court jailed him for a total of 11 years, with the sentences for each victim served consecutively and backdated to 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Martin Joseph 'Joe' Cullen, 64, was convicted of seven counts of sexual assault against five boys.
Where
Cullen has an address in Colehill, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal.
When
The sexual assault offences took place between 1993 and 2007.
Charges
Cullen pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge for an offence dated between 2008 and 2010.
In court
  • Cullen went into custody at the end of a first trial in 2025.
  • Cullen was found guilty in July 2026 after a five-day trial.
Sentence
  • Cullen was jailed for a total of 11 years at Letterkenny Circuit Court, reported on 31 July 2026.
  • The judge directed that the sentence for each victim be served consecutively.
  • The sentence was backdated to when Cullen went into custody at the end of the first trial in 2025.
Other details
  • The judge said there was a pattern of behaviour for at least 10 years, which was an aggravating factor.
  • The judge noted Cullen has no previous convictions, which had limited value.
  • The judge said Cullen's apology to the victims was of limited value.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCullen was jailed for 11 years for historic sex offences at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatCullen was convicted of seven counts of sexual assault against five boys. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereCullen has an address in Colehill, Newtowncunningham. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe sexual assault offences took place between 1993 and 2007. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCullen also pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge for an offence dated between 2008 and 2010. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtCullen was found guilty in July 2026 after a five-day trial. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge directed that the sentence for each victim be served consecutively. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe total sentence is 11 years. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to when Cullen went into custody at the end of the first trial in 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge said there was a pattern of behaviour for at least 10 years, which was an aggravating factor. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted Cullen has no previous convictions, which had limited value. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Cullen’s apology to the victims was of limited value. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jul2026
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Judge cries for victims' 'bravery' as Newtown man jailed for 11 years

    Reports the sentencing hearing and the 11-year total sentence after the July 2026 conviction. No existing case in the list matches this sentencing.

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