Case No. 0486Rape, indecent assault · Co. Westmeath · 1 Jan 1981
Retired postal worker Tom Hassett jailed for eight years for rape and indecent assault of 12-year-old girl in Athlone
Tom Hassett, 72, a retired postal worker from Auburn Heights, Athlone, Co Westmeath, was convicted of two counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault of a girl who was 12 when the offending began between 1981 and 1982. The victim, who wishes to retain her anonymity, made a statement to gardaí in 2021. Hassett was convicted following a trial in February 2026. On 28 July 2026, Judge David Keane at the Central Criminal Court sentenced him to eight years' imprisonment with two years' post-release supervision, noting he showed no remorse and had not embarked on rehabilitation.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Tom Hassett, 72, a retired postal worker and branch manager who also worked in a local taxi business, was convicted of two counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault of a girl who was 12 when the offending began.
- The abuse began with Hassett rubbing his erect penis against the girl before escalating to forcing her to masturbate him and raping her.
- Where
- The offences took place at Hassett's home in Auburn Heights, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
- When
- The offences occurred on dates between 1981 and 1982, covering a one-year period, when Hassett was in his late twenties.
- Investigation
- The woman made a statement to gardaí in 2021; Hassett was interviewed and denied the offences.
- Charges
- Hassett was convicted of two counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault following a trial in February 2026.
- In court
- Judge David Keane passed sentence at the Central Criminal Court on 28 July 2026.
- Sentence
- The judge set a headline sentence of 12 years for the rapes, with the final sentence being eight years' imprisonment concurrent with two years' post-release supervision, with no grounds to suspend any part.
- Other details
- Hassett, who has no previous convictions, did not accept the jury verdicts, showed no remorse, and had not embarked on rehabilitation.
- The victim wishes to retain her anonymity; Hassett was known to the complainant and she visited his home.
32 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHassett is a retired postal worker who also worked in a local taxi business (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHassett has no previous convictions (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatHassett was in his late twenties when he abused the girl who was aged 12 when the offending began (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim wishes to retain her anonymity (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHassett was known to the complainant and she visited his home (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatNo credit was available from a guilty plea, he did not accept the jury verdicts, showed no remorse and had not embarked on rehabilitation (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHassett held the position of branch manager at the post office (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHassett is a married man with a family (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatHassett is on an enhanced regime with no disciplinary reports in prison (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHassett has been assessed as at below average risk of reoffending (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe abuse began with Hassett rubbing his erect penis against the girl before escalating to forcing her to masturbate him and raping her (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHassett was interviewed by gardaí and denied the offences (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTom Hassett is 72 years old and lives in Auburn Heights, Athlone, Co Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHassett is a retired postal worker who held the position of branch manager. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHassett also worked in a local taxi business. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl was aged 12 when the offending began. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHassett was in his late 20s when he abused the girl. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman wishes to retain her anonymity. (irishtimes.com)
- whereTom Hassett lives in Auburn Heights, Athlone, Co Westmeath (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred on dates between 1981 and 1982 (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences cover a one year period (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe woman made a statement to gardaí in 2021 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHassett was convicted of two counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge David Keane passed sentence at the Central Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtHassett was convicted following a trial in February 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 12 years for the rapes (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge ordered two years post-release supervision with no grounds to suspend any part of the sentence (irishmirror.ie)
- otherNo credit was available to Hassett from a guilty plea. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHassett did not accept the jury verdicts. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHassett had shown no remorse. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHassett had not embarked on any rehabilitation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA prison service report indicated Hassett is on an enhanced regime with no disciplinary reports. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Jul2026Retired postal worker jailed for sexual abuse of girl (12) more than four decades ago
Reports the sentencing of Tom Hassett to eight years' imprisonment (with two years' post-release supervision) for rape and indecent assault committed in 1981-1982, following a trial in February 2026.
convicted, Tom Hassett, 72, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tom Hassettvictim, 12, female - 28 Jul2026Man, 72, who raped girl four decades ago is named in court
Provides full details of the sentencing hearing including the victim impact statement, Judge Keane's reasoning, the headline sentence of 12 years reduced to eight years concurrent with two years post-release supervision, and the offences as described by Detective Garda Olivia Kelly.
victim, 12, femaleconvicted, Tom Hassett, 72, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tom Hassett