Sunday 1 November 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. 11642Sexual assault · Co. Dublin · 20 Oct 2025

State drops sexual assault charges against man in Saggart

A 26- or 27-year-old failed asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in the care of Tusla at Garter Lane in Saggart, west Dublin, on 20 October 2025. The girl had been missing from care at the time, and violent protests followed the allegation in Citywest, leading to more than 30 arrests. A second count of sexual assault of the same complainant at a nearby location was added in December 2025, and the man was sent forward for trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in January 2026. In October 2026, the State withdrew both charges by nolle prosequi, and the man was discharged from the indictment and released from custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged17 Dec
    2 reports
  4. In court1 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 26- or 27-year-old failed asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in the care of Tusla.
Where
The alleged offences took place at Garter Lane in Saggart and at another location close to Garter Lane in west Dublin.
When
The alleged sexual assaults occurred on 20 October 2025.
Other details
  • The girl had been missing from care at the time of the alleged offences.
  • Violent protests followed the allegation in Citywest, leading to more than 30 arrests, injuries to gardaí, and a burned-out Garda vehicle.
  • The man told gardaí that the girl said she was 18 and that he kissed her.
  • The man was subject to a deportation order and had an Arabic interpreter at hearings held in camera.
  • The man cannot be named for legal reasons.
Charges
The man was initially charged with sexual assault of a female at Garter Lane in Saggart, and a second count of sexual assault of the same complainant at a nearby location was added on 17 December 2025.
In court
  • A psychiatric assessment found the man fit to stand trial, and the DPP directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.
  • The man was sent forward for trial after his ninth hearing at Cloverhill District Court on 29 January 2026 and remanded to appear at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in May.
  • In October 2026, the State withdrew both charges by nolle prosequi, Judge Nolan discharged the man from the indictment, and he was released from custody with the trial date vacated.
49 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused was a failed asylum seeker (gript.ie)
  • whatThe victim was a 10-year-old girl in the care of Tusla (gript.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault involved a 10-year-old girl in west Dublin in October. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offence took place at Garter Lane in Saggart, Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault happened in west Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe alleged incidents occurred at Citywest, Saggart (gript.ie)
  • whenThe initial charge concerns an offence at Garter Lane in Saggart on 20 October 2025. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence against the 10-year-old girl took place on 20 October 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe alleged sexual assault took place on 20 October 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe alleged incidents occurred on 20 October 2025 (gript.ie)
  • investigationThe prosecution must serve a book of evidence before the accused is sent forward to the higher court. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationAn investigation continues to identify others at the scene, and court prosecutions have commenced. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was charged with a second count at his fifth hearing at Cloverhill District Court. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe second charge is a count of sexual assault of the same complainant at another location close to Garter Lane. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was initially charged with sexual assault of a female. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeA second count of sexual assault of the same complainant was put to the accused at the court on 17 December 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was initially charged with sexual assault of the girl at Garter Lane in Saggart on 20 October 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeA second sexual assault count was brought against the accused last month for the same complainant at another location close to Garter Lane. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeBoth counts related to the sexual assault of a child (gript.ie)
  • courtA psychiatric assessment found the man fit to stand trial. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, and a book of evidence must be served first. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe book of evidence was likely to be completed within six weeks. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded in custody to appear by video link on 23 December. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded in custody to appear again at the same court via video link on 23 December. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused has been granted legal aid and has yet to indicate a plea. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused was sent forward for trial after his ninth hearing at Cloverhill District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA return for trial order was granted and the accused was remanded in custody to appear at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in May. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused has not entered a plea and cannot be named for legal reasons. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused had an Arabic interpreter and the hearing was held in camera. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtNo bail application was made. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was granted, and the accused must notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intends to use an alibi. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe State withdrew both charges against the accused (gript.ie)
  • courtJudge Nolan agreed to discharge the man from the indictment (gript.ie)
  • courtThe 27-year-old was ordered released from custody and the trial date was vacated (gript.ie)
  • courtThe decision to drop charges was made by the prosecution (gript.ie)
  • courtBoth charges were withdrawn through a nolle prosequi (gript.ie)
  • otherThe girl had been missing from care. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
  • otherLegal aid was granted to the accused, who has not yet indicated a plea. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe accused told gardaí the girl said she was 18 and that he kissed her. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherLast month, the court learned that the accused was found fit to stand trial after a psychiatric assessment. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused had the assistance of an Arabic interpreter during the hearing, which was held in camera. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe child had been missing from care at the time. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherViolent scenes in Citywest after the alleged assault led to more than 30 arrests, injuries to gardaí, and a burned-out Garda vehicle. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused was subject to a deportation order (gript.ie)
  • otherIn December 2025 the man told gardai the girl said she was 18 (gript.ie)
  • otherProtests outside the Citywest complex in October 2025 escalated into violent disorder (gript.ie)
  • otherMore than 30 people were arrested in connection with the protests (gript.ie)
  • otherThe former Citywest Hotel complex was acquired by the State in August 2025 at a cost of €148.25 million (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2026
    Othergript.ie, its first report
    State drops charges against asylum seeker in girl assault case - Gript

    Reports that the prosecution withdrew both charges via nolle prosequi, Judge Nolan discharged the man from the indictment, and he was released from custody. No official reason for the discontinuance was given. Also notes the man's earlier statement to gardai and the protests and disorder that followed the original allegations.

    victim, 10, femaleaccused, 27, male, non-irish (judged from name)
  2. 1 Jan2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Man accused of sexually assaulting girl (10) near Citywest last year sent forward for trial

    Reports the accused being sent forward for trial on indictment after his ninth hearing, and a second sexual assault count brought last month. Also reports the violent scenes and arrests in Citywest after the alleged assault.

    accused, 26, male, non-irish (judged from name)victim, 10, female
  3. 17 Dec2025
    Chargedthejournal.ie, its first report
    Man accused of sexual assault of girl near Citywest faces second charge

    Adds a second sexual assault count against the same complainant at another location near Garter Lane, the accused's psychiatric assessment finding him fit to stand trial, the DPP's direction for trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, and a remand in custody to 23 December.

    accused, 26, malevictim, 10, female
  4. 17 Dec2025
    Chargedrte.ie, first report
    Man accused of sexual assault of girl faces second charge

    Adds a second sexual assault charge at the fifth hearing, relating to another location close to Garter Lane. Reports the DPP's direction for trial on indictment, that the man was found fit to stand trial, and remand in custody to 23 December.

    accused, 26, malevictim, 10, female