Retired Defence Forces member Eddie Lillis jailed for sexual abuse of two young girls in 1980s
Eddie Lillis, a 63-year-old retired Defence Forces member from Limerick, was convicted of sexually assaulting two girls aged between three and eight in the 1980s. After the first assault, Girl A told her mother and gave a statement to Gardaí, but the DPP directed there was not enough evidence to prosecute; the case was re-investigated in 2020 after new complaints from both victims. At Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, Lillis pleaded not guilty to all five charges and was convicted on four, with the jury unable to reach a decision on the fifth count. On 30 April 2025, Judge Colin Daly sentenced him to three and a half years in prison and lifted a court order restricting media identification.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Apr
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Eddie Lillis, a 63-year-old retired Defence Forces member, was convicted of sexually assaulting two girls aged between three and eight in the 1980s.
- Where
- The abuse took place in Limerick; Lillis lives at Shannonvale, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick.
- When
- The grooming and sexual abuse occurred in the 1980s; the case was re-investigated in 2020 and Lillis was sentenced on 30 April 2025.
- Cause
- Lillis groomed and sexually abused the two girls over a period in the 1980s.
- Investigation
- After the first assault, Girl A told her mother and gave a formal statement to Gardaí, but the DPP directed there was not enough evidence to prosecute.
- In 2020, Girl A made another complaint and Girl B made a separate complaint, leading to a reinvestigation.
- Charges
- Lillis pleaded not guilty to all five charges of indecent assault and was convicted on four, with the jury unable to reach a decision on the fifth count.
- In court
- The trial and sentencing took place at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Colin Daly, who lifted a court order restricting media identification of Lillis.
- Sentence
- Lillis was sentenced to three and a half years in prison on 30 April 2025.
- Other details
- Lillis is a married father of three.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEddie Lillis was jailed for three and a half years for sexually assaulting two girls in the 1980s. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatLillis is a retired Defence Forces member, 63, of Shannonvale, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAfter the first assault, Girl A told her mother and gave a formal statement to Gardaí, but the DPP directed there was not enough evidence to prosecute. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGirl A was sexually assaulted a few days before her First Holy Communion. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe two girls were aged between three and eight when he groomed and abused them. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLillis is 63 years old and lives at Shannonvale, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe sentencing took place at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe grooming and sexual abuse took place in the 1980s. (irishtimes.com)
- whenGirl A was sexually assaulted a few days prior to her First Holy Communion. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationShortly after the first assault, Girl A told her mother and gave a formal statement to gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe DPP at the time directed there was not enough evidence to prosecute Lillis. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationIn 2020, Girl A made another complaint and Girl B made a separate complaint, leading to reinvestigation. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeLillis pleaded not guilty to all charges and was convicted on four of five, with the jury unable to reach a decision on the fifth count. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of indecent assault of two girls. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Colin Daly lifted a court order restricting the media from identifying Lillis. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtLillis pleaded not guilty to all charges. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was convicted on four of the five charges and the jury could not reach a decision on the fifth count. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceEddie Lillis was jailed for three and a half years at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLillis is a retired member of the Defence Forces. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLillis is a married father of three. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Apr2025Retired Defence Forces member jailed for sexual abuse of two young girls in 1980s
Sentencing report: Lillis convicted on four of five charges after pleading not guilty; case originally not prosecuted in the 1980s but reinvestigated in 2020 after new complaints; victim impact statements read in court; reporting restrictions lifted.
convicted, Eddie Lillis, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eddie Lillisvictim, femalevictim, female - 30 Apr2025'Depraved paedophile' identified 40 years after sexual abusing two girls under 8
Sentencing report. Lillis was convicted after a trial in which he pleaded not guilty to all five charges; the jury convicted him on four and could not reach a decision on the fifth. Reporting restrictions were lifted by Judge Colin Daly. Both victims gave victim impact statements. The case was re-investigated in 2020 after new complaints.
convicted, Eddie Lillis, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eddie Lillisvictim, 6, femalevictim, female