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. 0731Breach of Sex Offenders Act · Co. Louth · 15 Jul 2025

Simon McGinley pleads guilty to three Sex Offenders Act breaches

Simon McGinley, 52, from Dundalk, Co Louth, pleaded guilty at Drogheda Circuit Court on June 25, 2026, to three breaches of the Sex Offenders Act after failing to notify garda and Probation Services of his whereabouts following his release from Midlands prison in July 2025. He is on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has 33 previous convictions, including two rapes in 1998 and 2008 for which he served half his life in prison. He was arrested in Scotland on March 5, 2026, extradited to Ireland on April 1, 2026, and remains in custody at Cloverhill Prison. Sentencing has been adjourned to October 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted25 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Simon McGinley, 52, from Dundalk, Co Louth, pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Sex Offenders Act.
Cause
He failed to notify garda and the Probation Services of his whereabouts after his release from Midlands prison in July 2025 and ceased collecting his social welfare payments for 12 weeks, totalling €2,904.
When
He was released from Midlands prison in July 2025, booked travel to Scotland on July 17, 2025, was arrested in Scotland on March 5, 2026, extradited on April 1, 2026, and pleaded guilty on June 25, 2026.
Where
The case was heard at Drogheda Circuit Court, with a summons originally obtained from Dundalk District Court.
Investigation
Detective Garda James Kilgannon of Dundalk Garda Station gave evidence at Drogheda Circuit Court.
Charges
He was charged with three breaches of the Sex Offenders Act, which require registered offenders to notify garda within 24 hours of changing address or travelling.
In court
CCTV confirmed he travelled to Scotland with family members on July 17, 2025, and he was remanded in custody in Scotland following his arrest.
Sentence
Sentencing was adjourned to October 2026.
Other details
  • He is on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has 33 previous convictions, including two rapes in 1998 and 2008 for which he served half his life in prison.
  • He is a married father of five adult children.
  • He was released from Midlands prison in July 2025 after being sentenced to one year for a previous breach of the Sex Offenders Act.
  • He remains in custody at Cloverhill Prison.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereHe has an address in Dundalk, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda James Kilgannon of Dundalk Garda Station gave evidence at Drogheda Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA summons was obtained from Dundalk District Court to be served on McGinley. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSimon McGinley is 52 years old. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe is on the Sex Offenders Register for life. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was extradited from Scotland earlier this year after failing to notify garda and the Probation Services of his whereabouts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe is a married father of five adult children. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe served half of his life in prison after two rapes in 1998 and 2008. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was released from the Midlands prison in July 2025 after being sentenced to one year for breaching the Sex Offenders Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcGinley attended with the Probation Services after his release on four occasions in July. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe failed to turn up for subsequent appointments. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA booking was made under the name Simon McGinley to travel from Northern Ireland to Scotland on July 17, 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCCTV confirmed McGinley had travelled to Scotland along with other family members. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherUnder the Sex Offenders Act, defendants must notify gardai within 24 hours if they change their address or travel anywhere. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcGinley ceased to collect his social welfare payments for 12 weeks, €242 a week, €2,904 in total. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was not at his home address to serve the summons. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was remanded in custody in Scotland following his arrest for those offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was arrested in relation to the Sex Offenders Act breaches on March 5, 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was extradited from Scotland on April 1, 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe remains in custody in Cloverhill Prison. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jun2026
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Double rapist could be jailed again after admitting Sex Offenders Act breaches

    Reports the court hearing at Drogheda Circuit Court where McGinley pleaded guilty to three Sex Offenders Act breaches, details his extradition from Scotland, his 33 previous convictions including two rapes, and the adjournment until October for sentencing.

    convicted, Simon McGinley, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simon McGinleyvictim, 85, femalevictim, 13, female