Saturday 31 October 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. 18457Sexual abuse · Co. Dublin

Sentencing of Dublin man for sexual abuse halted after assault in court

A 46-year-old Dublin man was convicted at the Central Criminal Court on 11 December 2023 of sexual abuse offences against two teenage girls, including abuse of one girl between 2019 and 2020 and causing a child to watch pornography in relation to the second girl in 2019. On 29 January 2024, during his sentence hearing at the Criminal Courts of Justice, two men approached him in the dock while a garda was giving evidence, a scuffle followed, and he was left bleeding and taken for medical attention. Prison staff and gardaí restrained the two men and removed them from the court room, and Mr Justice Paul Burns said the Courts Service would have to investigate the breach of security. The judge remanded the man in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to 26 February.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Jan
  5. Convicted29 Jan
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 46-year-old Dublin man, convicted of sexual abuse offences, was assaulted in the dock during his sentence hearing.
  • Two men approached the accused in the dock while evidence was being heard, and a scuffle followed.
Where
The sentence hearing took place at the Criminal Courts of Justice.
When
  • The assault happened while a prosecuting garda was giving evidence about the abuse of the two girls.
  • The sentence hearing was reported halted on 29 January 2024.
  • The abuse of the first girl took place between 2019 and 2020.
Charges
  • The man was convicted at the Central Criminal Court on 11 December 2023 of sexual abuse counts, including sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and rape.
  • He was also convicted of causing a child to watch pornography in relation to the second teenage girl in 2019.
In court
Mr Justice Paul Burns said the events represented a serious breach of security.
Investigation
The judge said the Courts Service would have to investigate what occurred and that further steps may be needed to secure the safety of people in the building.
Other details
  • The two men were restrained and removed from the court room by prison staff and gardaí.
  • The accused was bleeding after the assault and was taken to get medical attention.
Sentence
The judge remanded the accused in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to 26 February.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused was assaulted in the dock during the sentence hearing. (rte.ie)
  • whatTwo men approached the accused in the dock and a scuffle followed. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe sentencing of a Dublin man was halted at the Criminal Courts of Justice. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened while the prosecuting garda was giving evidence about the abuse of the two girls. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe abuse of the first girl took place between 2019 and 2020. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe judge said what occurred would have to be investigated by the Courts Service. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of sexual abuse counts against one girl. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was also convicted of causing a child to watch pornography in relation to a second teenage girl in 2019. (rte.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Paul Burns said the events represented a serious breach of security. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe man was assaulted in court. (extra.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge remanded the accused in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to 26 February. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentencing of a Dublin man for sexual abuse was halted. (extra.ie)
  • otherThe men were restrained and removed from the court room by prison staff and gardaí. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe accused was bleeding and was taken to get medical attention. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe man is 46 years old. (extra.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jan2024
    In courtextra.ie, first report
    Sentencing Of Dublin Man, 46, For Sexual Abuse Halted After He's Assaulted In Court

    Only the headline is usable; the body text is template markup. The headline gives the sentencing halt and the assault in court.

    convicted, 46, male
  2. 29 Jan2024
    Convictedrte.ie, follow-up
    Sentence hearing stopped after man assaulted in dock

    Reports an assault on the accused in the dock during his sentence hearing, halted proceedings, and the court's response, after a Central Criminal Court conviction for sexual abuse of two teenage girls.

    convicted, 46, malevictim, 15 to 16, femalevictim, 14 to 15, femalesuspect, malesuspect, male