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. 1775Sexual assault (three counts) · Co. Laois · 1 Aug 2015

Tattoo artist Paul Kelleher jailed for eight years for sexually assaulting two women and a girl in Portlaoise

Paul Kelleher, a 61-year-old tattoo artist, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault for assaulting a woman in her early 20s, a woman in her late 30s, and a 14-year-old girl at his tattoo and piercing shop, Newfaze Ink, in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, between August and December 2015 and in January 2018. He was found guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court earlier in 2025. On 29 April 2025, Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to nine years' imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, effectively eight years. Kelleher maintains his innocence and said he would be changing his legal team after sentencing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced29 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Kelleher was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in her early 20s, a woman in her late 30s, and a 14-year-old girl while they were clients receiving or having piercings cleaned at his shop.
Where
The offences took place at Newfaze Ink, a tattoo and piercing business in Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
When
The offences occurred between August and December 2015 and in January 2018.
Charges
Kelleher was convicted of three counts of sexual assault following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In court
Judge Pauline Codd imposed the sentence on 29 April 2025.
Sentence
Kelleher received three consecutive sentences of three years each, totalling nine years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions requiring him to attend counselling to reduce his risk of sexual re-offending.
Other details
  • Kelleher was the joint owner and operator of Newfaze Ink, which operated between 2008 and 2020.
  • Kelleher has two previous convictions, including one for sexual assault in similar circumstances for which he received a four-year sentence with the final two years suspended.
  • Kelleher served in the Defence Forces and was deployed to Lebanon in 1983, and lived and worked in the UK before returning to Ireland in 2000.
  • Kelleher maintains his innocence and said he would be changing his legal team after sentencing.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo of the victims were receiving piercings when Kelleher sexually assaulted them. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe third victim, who was 14, was having a piercing cleaned when she was assaulted. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe first victim, in her early 20s, was at Newfaze Ink in August 2015 to get a piercing and had an anxiety attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKelleher touched the first victim's neck, breast, and stomach area before touching her vaginal area under her clothing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe second victim, in her late 30s, visited Newfaze Ink between September and December 2015. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offending took place at Newfaze Ink, in Portlaoise. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred between August and December 2015 and in January 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargePaul Kelleher was convicted of three counts of sexual assault following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Pauline Codd imposed the sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceKelleher was sentenced to nine years with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge handed three consecutive sentences of three years each. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspended year is conditional on Kelleher attending counselling to reduce his risk of sexual re-offending. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKelleher maintains his innocence and said he would be changing his legal team after sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKelleher has two previous convictions, including one for sexual assault in similar circumstances for which he received a four-year sentence with the final two years suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKelleher served in the Defence Forces and was deployed to Lebanon in 1983. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAfter leaving the army, Kelleher lived and worked in the UK before returning to Ireland in 2000. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted the age disparity, saying Kelleher was old enough to be the grandfather of the teenage victim. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKelleher was the joint owner and operator of the tattoo and piercing business. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe business operated between 2008 and 2020 and employed several people. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKelleher's wife claimed in her evidence that she was present when the first victim was being pierced and nothing happened. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Apr2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Tattoo artist who sexually assaulted two women and girl jailed for 8 years

    Sentencing report detailing the three assaults, victim impact statements, Kelleher's background and previous convictions, and Judge Pauline Codd's reasoning including the aggravating factor of his prior similar conviction and the breach of trust.

    suspect, Paul Kelleher, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Kellehervictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, 14, female