Friday 30 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. 14199Sexual assault · Co. Limerick

Sexual assault accused's McKenzie Friend refused at Kilmallock court

A man charged with sexual assault against a woman is representing himself at Kilmallock District Court in County Limerick, as reported on 19 March 2025. The sources do not give the date of the incident. At the hearing before Judge Carol Anne Coolican, the accused introduced a man as his McKenzie Friend, but the judge ruled that the man could not act in that role, and the prosecution asked that the accused not be allowed to personally cross-examine the alleged victim. The accused asked for a case to be stated to the High Court, saying the refusal breaches his constitutional rights, and the judge adjourned the matter until 8 April, when she will decide the State's application on cross-examination.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man charged with sexual assault is representing himself in court.
Where
The case was due to be heard at Kilmallock District Court in County Limerick.
When
The court hearing was reported on 19 March 2025, and the sources do not give the date of the incident.
Charges
The prosecution asked that the accused not be allowed to personally cross-examine the alleged victim.
In court
  • Judge Carol Anne Coolican cleared the court of everyone except the media and those directly involved in the hearing.
  • The accused introduced a man to the judge as his McKenzie Friend, and the prosecution said this man is well known to the alleged victim.
  • The judge ruled that the proposed friend could not act as McKenzie Friend for the accused.
  • The accused asked the judge to state a case to the High Court about the refusal and said it interferes with his constitutional rights.
  • The judge adjourned the matter until 8 April and gave the accused an opportunity to find an alternative McKenzie Friend or legal representative who could cross-examine the alleged victim.
  • On 8 April the judge will decide the State's application that the accused not cross-examine the alleged victim.
Other details
The accused said he and the alleged victim come from a rural area and that she lives in the next parish.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused, a man charged with sexual assault, is representing himself in court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe case was due to be heard at Kilmallock District Court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe prosecution asked that the accused not be allowed to personally cross-examine the alleged victim. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe court was cleared of everyone except the media and those directly involved in the hearing. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe accused introduced a man to the judge as his McKenzie Friend. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said the proposed McKenzie Friend is well known to the alleged victim. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe judge ruled that the proposed friend could not act as McKenzie Friend for the accused. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe accused asked the judge to state a case to the High Court about the refusal of his McKenzie Friend. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe accused said refusing him a McKenzie Friend interferes with his constitutional rights. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter until April 8. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe judge will decide the State's application on that date that the accused not cross-examine the alleged victim. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe judge gave the accused an opportunity to find an alternative McKenzie Friend or legal representation who could cross-examine the alleged victim. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe accused said he and the alleged victim come from a rural area and that she lives in the next parish. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Mar2025
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Sex assault accused claims constitutional rights are being denied

    Covers a court hearing in an existing sexual assault case, in which the accused challenged the judge's refusal to allow his McKenzie Friend and asked for a case to be stated to the High Court. No incident details are given.

    accused, malevictim, female