Ireland Panto performer's sentence for sexual assault halved on appeal
A man, Dan Horan, 32, of Hollywood, Co. Wicklow, sexually assaulted a sleeping 26-year-old man at a house party in Naas, Co. Kildare, in July 2020, after giving him cannabis. Horan pleaded guilty in July 2023 at Naas Circuit Criminal Court, having initially denied the attack. Judge Mary O'Malley Costello originally sentenced him to four and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended for two years, though one report describes the original term as three years. On 29 February 2024 the Court of Appeal quashed that sentence and re-sentenced him to a three-year term, with a further 18 months suspended, which is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Horan was rubbing the penis of the sleeping victim when the victim's girlfriend found them.
- Where
- The sexual assault took place in Naas, Co. Kildare.
- When
- The offence took place in July 2020, and the victim's girlfriend found them at around 6am.
- Cause
- Horan had given the victim cannabis before the victim fell asleep at the house party.
- In court
- Horan initially denied the attack and pleaded guilty in July 2023 at Naas Circuit Criminal Court on the day his trial was due to start.
- The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and placed the offence in the middle of the mid-range.
- Sentence
- Judge Mary O'Malley Costello originally sentenced Horan to four and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended for two years; one report gives the original term as three years.
- On re-sentencing, the court nominated a four and a half year headline sentence and discounted 18 months in mitigation, leaving a three-year term.
- The court suspended a further 18 months of the three-year sentence.
- Other details
- Horan's lawyers argued that the original headline sentence of six and a half years was too high.
- Horan had no previous convictions, had worked as a marketing manager and had starred in several pantos.
- The victim said he was left living in a nightmare and had lost the joy for life.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHoran was rubbing the sleeping victim's penis when the victim's girlfriend found them. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe sexual assault took place in Naas in July 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offence took place in July 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe girlfriend found them at around 6am. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe victim had been given cannabis by Horan before he fell asleep. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHoran pleaded guilty in July 2023 at Naas Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and placed the offence in the middle of the mid-range. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge Mary O'Malley Costello originally sentenced Horan to four and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended for two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceOn re-sentencing, the court nominated a four and a half year headline sentence and discounted 18 months in mitigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe court suspended a further 18 months of the three-year sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHoran initially denied the attack and admitted guilt on the day his trial was due to start. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHoran's lawyers argued the original headline sentence of six and a half years was too high. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHoran had no previous convictions and had worked as a marketing manager and starred in several pantos. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim said he was left living in a nightmare and had lost the joy for life. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Feb2024Panto performer who sexually assaulted sleeping man at party has sentence halved
Reports the Court of Appeal's decision to quash the original sentence and re-sentence Horan, with the sentence reduced and 18 months of the three-year term suspended. It also gives the original sentence, the appeal arguments and the victim's impact.
convicted, Dan Horan, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dan Horanvictim, 26, male