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. 11759Rape and sexual assault · Co. Dublin

O'Brien appeals rape and sexual assault conviction in Dublin

Richard O'Brien, aged 61 at sentencing (a 2025 report gives 64), was convicted by a unanimous jury in 2023 of 63 counts of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault against five women (Theresa, Anne, Mary, Sonya and Agnes), including his two sisters, his niece and his two daughters. The offences took place between 1975 and 2011, with the abuse of his sisters and niece occurring at the family home on O'Moore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, and continuing until each ran away as a teenager. He was sentenced to life in prison in May 2023 for the rape offences against his two daughters, with concurrent sentences totalling 11 years for the other counts. In December 2025, O'Brien appealed his conviction, arguing that allowing the victims to give evidence by video link created a risk of unfairness, and the judge reserved judgment to be delivered on Thursday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Dec
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 May
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Richard O'Brien was convicted by a unanimous jury of 63 counts of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault against five victims.
  • The court heard that the abuse of his two sisters and niece continued until each ran away as a teenager, and that he went on to sexually abuse and rape his own two daughters until they were taken into care.
Where
The abuse of his sisters and niece occurred at the family home on O'Moore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin.
When
The offences were committed on dates between 1975 and 2011.
Investigation
After one daughter told her foster mother of the abuse, gardaí were alerted.
Charges
O'Brien denied all the offences.
In court
  • The five victims waived their right to anonymity so that O'Brien could be named.
  • The defence argued there was a risk of unfairness in allowing the victims to give evidence by video link.
  • O'Brien is appealing his conviction and the judge reserved judgment to be delivered on Thursday.
Sentence
  • O'Brien was sentenced to life in prison in May 2023 for the rape offences against his two daughters.
  • Concurrent sentences totalling 11 years were imposed for the other offending, running from the date he went into custody in March.
Other details
The judge noted O'Brien had shown no remorse and no acceptance of his offending.
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRichard O’Brien was convicted by a jury of 63 counts of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault against five victims. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe abuse of his sisters and niece continued until each of the three women ran away as teenagers. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatO’Brien went on to sexually abuse and rape his own two daughters until they were taken into care. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe abuse of his two sisters and niece occurred at the family home at O’Moore Road, Ballyfermot. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe abuse of his sisters and niece occurred at the family home on O’Moore Road, Ballyfermot. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offences were committed on dates between 1975 and 2011. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on dates between 1975 and 2011. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationAfter one daughter told her foster mother of the abuse, gardaí were alerted. (rte.ie)
  • investigationOne of the daughters told her foster mother about the abuse, and gardaí were alerted. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeO'Brien was convicted by a jury of 63 counts of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault against five victims. (rte.ie)
  • chargeO’Brien denied all the offences. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtO'Brien denied all the offences and was convicted unanimously by a jury after a trial earlier that year. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Mary Ellen Ring presided over the sentencing at the Central Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtO’Brien denied all the offences but was convicted unanimously by a jury following a trial. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe five victims waived their right to anonymity so that O’Brien could be named. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said O’Brien had shown no remorse and no acceptance of his offending. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtO’Brien is seeking to have his conviction overturned. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA jury convicted O’Brien of 63 counts of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault against five victims. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe defence argued there was a risk of unfairness in allowing the victims to give evidence by video link. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe Central Criminal Court heard that the abuse of the sisters and niece continued until each ran away as a teenager. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge reserved judgment on the appeal, to be delivered on Thursday. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceO'Brien was given a life sentence for the rape offences against his two daughters. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceConcurrent sentences totalling 11 years were imposed for the other offending. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences run from the date O'Brien went into custody in March. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a life sentence for the rape offences against his two daughters. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed concurrent sentences totalling 11 years for the other offending. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceO’Brien was sentenced to life in prison in May 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted O'Brien had shown no remorse and no acceptance of his offending. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe sisters said O’Brien wrung the necks of a puppy and a kitten belonging to them during their childhood. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Dec2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Man who raped sisters, daughters and niece appeals conviction over victims giving evidence via video link

    Reports the appeal against conviction, which centres on the use of video-link evidence and an argument about the sufficiency of the rape counts. Judgment was reserved and due to be delivered on Thursday.

    convicted, Richard O'Brien, 64, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard O'Brienvictim, Theresa, female, irish (judged from name)Theresavictim, Anne, female, irish (judged from name)Annevictim, Mary, female, irish (judged from name)Maryvictim, Sonya, female, irish (judged from name)Sonyavictim, Agnes, irish (judged from name)Agnes
  2. 15 May2023
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man who raped his daughters, sisters and niece is jailed for life

    Reports the jury verdict, the sentence and the judge's remarks at sentencing; the article does not describe any earlier stage of the case.

    convicted, Richard O'Brien, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard O'Brienvictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, female
  3. 15 May2023
    Sentencedrte.ie, follow-up
    Man who raped his daughters and sisters jailed for life

    Reports the sentencing: a life sentence for the rapes of his daughters and concurrent sentences totalling 11 years for the other offending. Gives O'Brien's age as 61.

    convicted, Richard O'Brien, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard O'Brienvictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, femalevictimvictim