Ireland Patrick Rea sentenced to 12 years for sexually abusing his cousin in Longford
Patrick Rea (55) was convicted at a January trial of one count of rape and two counts of indecent assault against his young female cousin, offences committed at an address in Longford Town between October 1986 and December 1989. The victim complained to gardaí in 2022, and the case was heard at the Central Criminal Court. On 18 March 2026 Rea was sentenced to 12 years, concurrent and backdated to 23 January, with post-release supervision for life and no-contact conditions. Rea is already serving a life sentence for a murder conviction in Edinburgh and was transferred to Ireland in June 2014.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced18 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Rea raped the victim in a bathroom.
- The victim was Rea's young female cousin, described by the judge as a very young child.
- Where
- The offences took place at an address in Longford Town.
- When
- The offences took place between October 1986 and December 1989.
- Investigation
- The victim complained to gardaí in 2022 and an investigation began.
- In court
- Rea was convicted after a January trial of one count of rape and two counts of indecently assaulting the victim.
- The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
- Sentence
- The judge set a headline sentence of 14 years, reduced to 12 years because of Rea's age at the time of the offences.
- Rea was sentenced on 18 March 2026 to a concurrent 12-year term backdated to 23 January.
- The judge directed post-release supervision for life.
- Rea must have no contact with the victim and no contact with a child unless another adult is present.
- Other details
- The judge said Rea is a very dangerous man who will need close monitoring if ever released.
- Rea is serving a life sentence for murder after a 2011 conviction in the Edinburgh High Court and was repatriated to Ireland in June 2014.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatRea raped the victim in a bathroom. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe offences took place at an address in Longford Town. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offences took place between October 1986 and December 1989. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe victim made a complaint to gardaí in 2022 and an investigation began. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtRea was convicted of one count of rape and two of indecently assaulting the victim after a trial in January. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 14 years, reduced to 12 years because of Rea's age at the time. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceRea was given a concurrent sentence of 12 years backdated to January 23. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge directed post-release supervision for life. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceRea must have no contact with the victim and no contact with a child unless another adult is present. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherPatrick Rea is serving a life sentence for murder after a conviction in Edinburgh. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Mar2026'Convicted rapist and murderer who sexually abused cousin in Longford is a very dangerous man'
Court sentencing report: Rea was convicted after a January trial and sentenced on 18 March 2026. The article adds the sentence length, the judge's remarks, the post-release supervision order and the no-contact conditions.
convicted, Patrick Rea, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Reavictim, Donna Fahy, female, irish (judged from name)Donna Fahy