Trainee pilot Chris Brady jailed for six years for raping sleeping college student in Co Meath
Chris Brady, a 31-year-old man from Cornstown, Ashbourne, Co Meath, was convicted of raping a college student while she was sleeping at his home in May 2023. The victim, who met Brady at Copper Face Jacks nightclub, complained to gardaí two days after the incident. Following a trial in June 2026 in which Garda Sgt Jessica Hargadon gave evidence, Brady was sentenced in July 2026 to six years' imprisonment, reduced from a headline of eight years for mitigation. Brady, a trainee pilot who could not work due to garda vetting issues, will not appeal the conviction.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Chris Brady was convicted of raping a college student while she was sleeping at his home.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Brady's home in Cornstown, Ashbourne, Co Meath, and the victim had met him at Copper Face Jacks nightclub.
- When
- The incident took place in May 2023, the trial was held in June 2026, and sentencing followed in July 2026.
- Cause
- The victim was raped while sleeping in a room at Brady's home after the group went there to continue the night out.
- Investigation
- The victim made a complaint to gardaí two days after the incident, and Brady made a voluntary prepared statement in August 2024.
- In court
- Garda Sgt Jessica Hargadon gave evidence at trial, and the victim attended court alone to spare her family from cross-examination.
- Sentence
- Brady was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, reduced from a headline of eight years for mitigation.
- Other details
- Brady trained as a pilot and later worked as a flight instructor but could not secure garda clearance for either role.
- Brady will not appeal the conviction.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatChris Brady was convicted of rape at his home in May 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was raped while sleeping in a room at Brady's home (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Brady's home in Cornstown, Ashbourne, Co Meath (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe victim met Brady at Copper Face Jacks nightclub (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe victim made a complaint to gardaí two days after the incident (irishtimes.com)
- investigationBrady made a voluntary prepared statement in August 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGarda Sgt Jessica Hargadon gave evidence at trial (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceBrady was sentenced to six years' imprisonment (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was eight years, reduced to six years for mitigation (irishtimes.com)
- otherBrady trained as a pilot but could not work due to inability to secure garda clearance (irishtimes.com)
- otherBrady then worked as a flight instructor until the same vetting issue emerged (irishtimes.com)
- otherBrady will not appeal the conviction (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim chose to attend court alone to spare her family from cross-examination (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jul2026Trainee pilot who raped sleeping student in his home jailed for six years
Reports the sentencing of Chris Brady to six years for rape of a sleeping college student, including the victim impact statement, defence mitigation regarding his career impact, and the judge's reasoning on the aggravating nature of violating a sleeping person.
victim, femaleconvicted, Chris Brady, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Chris Brady