Saturday 31 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. 20470Sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Student sentenced over sexual abuse of half-sister at Central Criminal Court

An 18-year-old man, a Leaving Certificate student who cannot be named, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in December 2022 of five counts of sexual assault against his half-sister, a girl aged between eight and 11 at the time, while he was aged 12 to 15. The offending took place between July 2016 and November 2019 at the victim's home in Dublin and at a restaurant, and came to light in December 2019 after the girl told her father. The jury found him not guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault, and a sentencing hearing in February was adjourned so he could sit his Leaving Certificate exams. In July 2023 he was given a two-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended, with two years' Probation Service supervision after release; the Irish Times headline says he was jailed for one year, and he continues to deny the offending.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man was convicted by a jury of five counts of sexual assault against his half-sister.
Where
Three counts took place at the victim's home in Dublin, and two took place at a restaurant.
When
  • Three counts were on unknown dates between July 2016 and August 2018.
  • Two counts were on 2 November 2019 at a restaurant.
  • The victim was aged between eight and 11 and the defendant was aged between 12 and 15 during the offending.
Investigation
The offending came to light in December 2019, after the girl told her father.
Charges
The jury found the man not guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
In court
  • A sentencing hearing took place in February and the case was adjourned to allow the defendant to sit his Leaving Certificate exams.
  • The judge said that if the defendant were an adult she would set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to four years after mitigation.
Sentence
  • The defendant was given a two-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions; the Irish Times headline says he was jailed for one year.
  • The suspended part of the sentence includes supervision by the Probation Service for two years post-release.
Other details
  • The victim is the defendant's half-sister.
  • The judge cited the defendant's young age and his co-operation with gardaí as mitigating factors.
  • The court heard the defendant continues to deny any wrongdoing.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was convicted by a jury of five counts of sexual assault against his half-sister. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereSome of the offending took place at the victim's home in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThree counts were on unknown dates between July 2016 and August 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenTwo counts were on 2 November 2019 at a restaurant. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe offending came to light in December 2019, after the girl told her father. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe jury found the man not guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA sentencing hearing took place in February and the case was adjourned to allow the defendant to sit his Leaving Certificate exams. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge said that if the defendant were an adult she would set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to four years after mitigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe defendant was given a two-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe suspended part of the sentence includes supervision by the Probation Service for two years post-release. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim is the defendant's half-sister. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe court heard the defendant continues to deny any wrongdoing. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge cited the defendant's young age and his co-operation with gardaí as mitigating factors. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Jul2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Student who sexually abused half-sister jailed for one year

    Reports the sentencing: the jury verdicts, the court's reasoning on aggravating and mitigating factors, and the sentence imposed on the defendant, who continues to deny the offending.

    convicted, 18, malevictim, between eight and 11 at the time of offending, female