Friday 30 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. 14585Defilement of a child · Co. Longford

Trial of two young men accused of sexually abusing sister continues at Longford Circuit Court

Two brothers are on trial at Longford Circuit Court, accused of sexually abusing their sister, a child under 15 at the time, on unknown days between 1 September 2014 and 30 June 2015 at a named location. The defendants cannot be named, and their ages and nationalities are not given. Detective Garda Damien McGovern interviewed the older brother, who denied the allegations; the younger brother first called them lies, then in September 2020 contacted gardaí saying he wanted to tell the truth and in a later interview is reported to have admitted something happened between him and his sister. The trial before Judge Kenneth Connolly was continuing in the week of 13 February 2025, and no verdict has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two brothers are accused of defilement of a child under 15 against their sister, contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal law sexual offence provision.
Where
The alleged offences took place at a named location, which the reports do not identify.
When
The alleged offences occurred on days unknown between 1 September 2014 and 30 June 2015.
In court
  • The trial is before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court.
  • The trial continued in the week reported on 13 February 2025, though the tracker lists the report date as 12 February 2025.
  • No verdict or sentence has been reported.
Investigation
  • Detective Garda Damien McGovern interviewed the older brother, who said "No, didn't happen at all" when the allegations were put to him.
  • Testimony from the principal of the national school all three children attended was heard the week before the report.
Other details
  • In his first interview the younger brother said the allegations were lies.
  • In September 2020 the younger brother contacted gardaí and said he wanted to tell the truth.
  • In a later interview the younger brother is reported to have admitted something happened between him and his sister.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe alleged offences occurred on days unknown between September 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Damien McGovern interviewed the older brother. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeThe defendants are accused of defilement of a child under the age of 15 under Section 2 of the Criminal law sexual offence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe trial of two young men accused of the sexual abuse of their sister continues this week in Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendants are before Judge Kenneth Connolly. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe trial continues this week. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe older brother said "No, didn't happen at all" when put to him the allegations. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherIn his first interview the younger brother said the allegations were lies, but in September 2020 he contacted Gardaí and said he wanted to tell the truth. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherIn a later interview the younger brother admitted something happened between him and his sister. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Feb2025
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Trial of two young men accused of sexually abusing their sister continues at Longford Circuit Court

    Report on the continuing trial of two brothers at Longford Circuit Court; no existing case in the list matches this trial.

    accused, maleaccused, malevictim, female