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. 5483Rape; indecent assault

Sports coach on trial over alleged rape and indecent assault of teenager in 1989-1990

A 78-year-old former sports coach has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault of a teenage student. The trial is continuing before a jury, and the complainant, now 48, has given evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Jul
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
26 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is a 78-year-old man (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe complainant was between 13 and 14 years old at the time of the offences (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused was a sports coach at the school (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe first assault involved touching the girl's breasts under the pretext of taking her measurements (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe abuse escalated to touching her vagina under her clothing and digitally penetrating her (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA sports coach is accused of raping and indecently assaulting a teenager. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences occurred at a secondary school in Leinster (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe alleged offences took place in a school. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences occurred on dates between October 1989 and October 1990 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe abuse ended in June when the girl was off school for the summer holidays (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe rape occurred when the girl returned to school the following September (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged offences were between October 1989 and October 1990. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe complainant was 13 or 14 years old at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe complainant reported the man to gardaí in 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was interviewed and denied all the allegations (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe faces one count of rape (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe faces 15 counts of indecent assault (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is expected to last a week (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPatricia McLaughlin SC opened the case for the State (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused cannot be named for legal reasons (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe complainant said she was in a state of shock and felt violated. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence said the accused has no recollection of the complainant at the school or on the team. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Jul2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Sports coach left teenager in ‘state of shock’ after alleged assault, court told

    Reports complainant's evidence on day of trial, the accused's not guilty plea and defence cross-examination. No matching existing case.

    accused, 78, malevictim, 48, female
  2. 10 Jul2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Sports coach goes on trial for rape and indecent assault of teenage girl

    Reports the opening of the trial, including the prosecution's opening statement by Patricia McLaughlin SC outlining the alleged pattern of abuse and the circumstances of the rape.

    accused, 78, malevictim, 13-14, female