Ireland Case No. 18245Sexual assault · Co. Limerick · 22 Dec 2017
Three men on trial over alleged sexual assault at Limerick rugby club Christmas party
Three men, referred to as Mr A, Mr B and Mr C, were charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl, an offence alleged to have occurred on 22 December 2017 at the rear of Old Crescent Rugby Club in Rosbrien, outside Limerick city, after a Christmas party. All three pleaded not guilty and went on trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Dermot Sheehan in February 2024. On 14 or 15 February 2024, two of the men pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature, and the State dropped the sexual assault charges against them. Both were released on bail for sentencing on 8 March 2024, while the trial of the third accused continued.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Feb
7 reports - Convicted15 Feb
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Three men, referred to as Mr A, Mr B and Mr C, are alleged to have sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl after a Christmas party.
- It is alleged that each man exposed his penis, two asked the woman for oral sex, and two touched her sexually without her consent.
- The complainant told the court that one man put his fingers inside her vagina.
- Cause
- The prosecution says Mr A did not physically touch the woman but is equally guilty by common design, while the defence said his version was that he exposed himself to urinate.
- Where
- The alleged offence took place at the rear of Old Crescent Rugby Club in Rosbrien, outside Limerick city, after a Christmas party.
- When
- The alleged offence took place on 22 December 2017.
- Other details
- One accused was 17 at the time of the alleged incident, and the other two were 18.
- Investigation
- The complainant told her school chaplain, and gardaí were contacted, on 10 January 2018 according to some reports and on 12 January 2018 according to others.
- Charges
- All three men were charged with one count of sexual assault and pleaded not guilty; they are presumed innocent unless convicted.
- Two of the three men pleaded guilty to intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature, with sources differing on whether they were Mr B and Mr C or Mr A and Mr B, and whether the pleas were entered on 14 or 15 February 2024.
- The State entered a nolle prosequi on the sexual assault charges against the two men who pleaded guilty, and added a new charge of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature against the third accused, who pleaded not guilty to it.
- In court
- The trial began at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on 13 February 2024 before a jury of seven women and five men, sworn in before Judge Dermot Sheehan.
- The jury was sent home for a day because of administrative issues, and the complainant gave evidence during the trial.
- Sentence
- The two men who pleaded guilty were released on continuing bail to appear for sentencing on 8 March 2024.
92 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThree young men are alleged to have sexually assaulted a schoolgirl. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatIt is alleged the complainant encountered the three accused, who exposed their penises and asked her for oral sex. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatIt is alleged two of the accused touched her sexually without her consent after she and one man began kissing. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatIt is alleged the third accused did not touch her but encouraged and supported the other two. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThree young men are on trial for sexual assault of a woman at a Christmas party. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatIt is alleged that each of the three men exposed their penis. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatTwo of the men allegedly asked the woman for oral sex. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatTwo of the men allegedly touched the woman in a sexual way without her consent. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatThree young men are on trial for sexually assaulting a woman at a Christmas party. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatIt is alleged that each of the three men exposed their penis and two of them asked the woman for oral sex. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatIt is alleged that two of the defendants touched the woman in a sexual way without her consent. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatThree men are on trial for alleged sex assault of a 17-year-old schoolgirl. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatTwo of the three men accused of sexual assault pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatIt is alleged that each man exposed his penis, two asked the woman for oral sex, and two touched her sexually without consent. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatThe alleged victim was a 17-year-old schoolgirl. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe complainant said Mr A and Mr B exposed their penises. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatThe complainant said one man stuck his fingers inside her vagina. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe party was held at Old Crescent Rugby Club in Rosbrien. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe offence is alleged to have taken place at a venue on the outskirts of Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe Christmas party was at a venue on the outskirts of Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe alleged incident happened at the rear of a rugby club after a Christmas party in Rosbrien. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe rugby club grounds are outside Limerick City. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe party was at a venue on the outskirts of Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe alleged incident happened after a Christmas party at a rugby club in Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe alleged offence took place at a Christmas party at a venue on the outskirts of Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe alleged incident took place on the grounds of a rugby club in Limerick after a Christmas party. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe alleged assault took place on December 22, 2017. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe alleged offence took place in late December 2017. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe alleged offences took place in late December 2017. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe alleged incident happened on 22 December 2017. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe two men pleaded guilty to an offence dated December 22, 2017. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe Christmas party was in late December 2017. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe alleged incident happened on December 22, 2017. (limerickpost.ie)
- causeThe prosecution said the alleged victim would give evidence that the two accused exposed their penises and asked her for oral sex. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí were not contacted until January 12, 2018, after the complainant reported the incident to the school chaplain. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí were contacted on January 10, 2018 after the alleged victim spoke to a school chaplain. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí were not contacted until 12 January 2018, after the girl reported the incident to the school chaplain. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí were contacted about the alleged incident on January 12, 2018, two weeks afterwards, after the girl reported it to a chaplain. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí were contacted on January 10 after the complainant told her school chaplain. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationThe woman told her school chaplain about the alleged incident on January 10, 2018, and the school contacted Gardaí. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeThe three accused are pleading not guilty to sexual assault. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeAll three men are charged with one count of sexual assault. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeEach of the three men is charged with one count of sexual assault. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe three accused are pleading not guilty to sexual assault of the then 17-year-old girl. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeAll three men were charged with one count of sexual assault. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMr B and Mr C pleaded guilty to one count of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe State will not proceed with the sexual assault charges against Mr B and Mr C. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeA further charge of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature was added against Mr A. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe State will not proceed with the sexual assault charge against Mr A. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe State entered a nolle prosequi on the original sexual assault charge against both men. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeThe trial against the third accused continued on a new charge of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeAll three accused were charged with one count of sexual assault. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMr A was arraigned on one count of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeEach of the three accused was charged with one count of sexually assaulting the woman. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeMr A and Mr B pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of intentionally engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe prosecution opened its case before a jury of five men and seven women at the Circuit Court in Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe complainant was due to give evidence first before Judge Dermot Sheehan. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtA jury of seven women and five men was sworn in before Judge Dermot Sheehan. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe trial continues on Wednesday morning. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe trial began at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court with a jury of seven women and five men sworn in before Judge Dermot Sheehan. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe trial continues on Thursday morning. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe jury trial was adjourned until the next day, Thursday. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe judge sent the jury away, saying administrative issues had arisen. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe trial began at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court with a jury of seven women and five men. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtMr B and Mr C were released on bail to appear for sentencing on 8 March. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtMr A's trial continued the afternoon of the hearing. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe trial ended when two accused pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe judge directed the jury to find a third accused not guilty of the original sexual assault charge. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe third accused pleaded not guilty to the new charge. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe trial commenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe three accused first went on trial before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtAll three accused denied the charges. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe State said it was not pursuing a sexual assault charge against Mr C, who has pleaded not guilty to engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe trial is continuing. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceThe two men were remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on March 8. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceMr B and Mr C were released on continuing bail to appear before a sentencing hearing on Friday, March 8. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceMr A and Mr B were remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on March 8. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe court heard one accused was 17 at the time of the alleged incident and the other two were 18. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe three accused cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged injured party. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe prosecution says Mr A did not physically touch the woman but is just as guilty due to common design. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe jury was sent home for the day because of administrative issues. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe alleged victim was 17 on the date in question. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherOne of the accused was 17 at the time of the alleged incident, and the other two were 18. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe prosecution said the three accused ran away after hearing noises in the area. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe accused are presumed innocent unless convicted. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherMr A pleaded not guilty to the offensive conduct charge. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherReporting restrictions remain in place to protect the alleged victim's identity. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherDefence counsel said Mr A's version was that he exposed himself to urinate. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe trial continues. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe woman was 17 years old at the time of the alleged incident. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe woman told the court the three men told her she was going to perform oral sex on them. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherNo parties in the case can be named for legal reasons regarding reporting restrictions. (limerickpost.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Feb2024Woman tells court she was told to 'give head' to three men in Christmas party trial
Reports the trial of three accused, their guilty pleas to a reduced charge by Mr A and Mr B with sentencing set for March 8, the State dropping the sexual assault charge against Mr C, and the woman's cross-examination.
victim, 17 at the time of the alleged incident, femaleaccused, 17-18 at the time of the alleged incident, maleaccused, 17-18 at the time of the alleged incident, maleaccused, 17-18 at the time of the alleged incident, male - 15 Feb2024'They were telling me I was going to give them head. I did not want to' says alleged victim, 17, in Christmas party trial
Reports the trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, including the complainant's evidence, the guilty pleas of Mr B and Mr C, the plea of not guilty by Mr A, and sentencing set for March 8.
victim, 17, femaleaccused, 18, maleconvicted, 18, maleconvicted, 17, male - 15 Feb2024State pursuing lesser charges against men in connection with Christmas sexual assault allegations
Reports that two accused pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, that the State entered a nolle prosequi on the original sexual assault charge, and that the third accused pleaded not guilty and the trial against him is continuing. Sentencing of the two men is set for March 8.
victim, 17, femaleconvicted, 20s, maleconvicted, 20s, maleaccused, male - 15 Feb2024Two men plead guilty to a lesser charge in Christmas sex assault trial in Limerick
Reports that Mr B and Mr C pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and that they are due for sentencing on 8 March; Mr A pleaded not guilty and his trial continued.
victim, 17, femaleaccused, 18, maleconvicted, 18, maleconvicted, 17, male - 14 Feb2024Trial adjourned in alleged three-man sex assault after Christmas party in Limerick
Reports the adjournment of the jury trial and the prosecution's outline of the alleged facts, including the location, the ages of the accused and the delayed Garda contact.
victim, 17, femaleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, male - 14 Feb2024Jury in Christmas party sex assault trial is sent home for day
Reports that the trial began, the jury of seven women and five men was sworn in before Judge Dermot Sheehan, and the jury was sent home for a day over administrative issues. The three accused are referred to as Mr A, Mr B and Mr C.
accused, 18, maleaccused, 18, maleaccused, 17, malevictim, 17, female - 13 Feb2024Three young men go on trial for sexual assault at Christmas party in Limerick
Reports the start of the jury trial of three accused, including the prosecution's opening statement and the allegations against each man. No verdict is reported.
accused, 18, maleaccused, 18, maleaccused, 17, malevictim, 17, female - 13 Feb2024Jury hears allegations of three-man sex assault after party in rugby club in Limerick
Reports the opening of the prosecution case at the Circuit Court trial of three men. Gives the prosecution's outline of the alleged facts, the complainant's account and the timing of the Garda report.
victim, 17, femaleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, male