Wednesday 28 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. 3510Rape, anal rape, sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Seven family members on trial for sexual abuse of deaf woman over 17-year period

Seven men, aged between 32 and 55, are on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin facing a combined total of 103 charges of sexual abuse against a deaf woman and two of her sisters over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013. The trial, now in its fifth month, is hearing transcripts of garda interviews in which the accused deny the allegations.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAlan Spicer was charged with assault causing harm to a woman at Copper Face Jacks. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Copper Face Jacks, Jackson Court Hotel, Harcourt Street. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 1 March 2026. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe alleged sexual abuse occurred over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationSpicer was arrested at the nightclub at 4.05 am. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationHe was taken to Pearse Street station and made no reply when the charge was put to him. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeThe men face a combined total of 103 charges, of which 98 pertain to the main complainant. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeOne of the men is further accused of sexually abusing two of his younger sisters. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAccused D, aged 33, has pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of rape and three counts of anal rape over an 11-year period between 2002 and 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAccused C, aged 34, is charged with 22 counts of rape and 23 counts of anal rape of the primary complainant over a 12-year period between 2001 and 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAccused C is charged with one count of sexual assault of Complainant 2 between 2005 and 2006 when she was a child. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAccused C is charged with two counts of rape and one of anal rape of Complainant 2 on dates between 2016 and 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAccused C is charged with one count of anally raping Complainant 3 on dates between 2013 and 2014. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Treasa Kelly remanded Spicer on continuing bail to appear again on 27 May 2026. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtDPP directions had yet to be obtained and the garda sought an adjournment. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtSeven men aged between 32 and 55 are on trial at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial is in its fifth month and is hearing transcripts of garda interviews. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and an extended jury panel of 13. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtNone of the parties involved can be named for legal reasons. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSpicer is a six-foot-ten second row who has represented Ireland under-20s, UCD and Leinster. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherSpicer had yet to enter a plea at the hearing. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherDefence solicitor Colleen Gildernew said it was not necessary to order a summary of garda evidence at this stage. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe accused are the primary complainant's four younger brothers and three uncles. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAccused D has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAccused D said his father could be aggressive when drinking. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAccused C has two minor road traffic convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAccused C suggested Complainant 2 may be lying to do with money. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Mar2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Brother of alleged sex abuse victim told gardai allegations were a 'joke'

    Trial update: the court heard transcripts of garda interviews with Accused D (33) and Accused C (34), in which both denied the allegations. Accused D described the allegations as a 'joke' and Accused C suggested a younger sister may be lying to do with money. The trial is in its fifth month before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs.

    victim, femalevictim, femalevictim, femaleaccused, 33, maleaccused, 34, maleaccused, 55, maleaccused, 45, male
  2. 19 Mar2026
    In courtdublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Leinster rugby player accused of assaulting woman at Copper Face Jacks

    First report of the charge and initial court appearance. Spicer was remanded on continuing bail pending DPP directions; no plea entered and no facts about the incident were given at the hearing.

    suspect, Alan Spicer, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Spicervictim, female