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. 6596Rape, sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Two men plead guilty to sexually abusing cousins, sentencing adjourned

Two brothers, aged 33 and 34, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin to sexual offences against two of their cousins, who are sisters. The offending took place between 2004 and 2008, and the case emerged after the younger sister complained in 2021. The first accused pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the older girl and sexual assault of the younger girl, and the second accused pleaded guilty to one count of rape and sexual assault of the older girl. Both men were remanded in custody and sentencing was adjourned to 31 March 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted10 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The two victims are sisters, cousins of the two accused brothers, aged 33 and 34.
Where
The offending against the sisters took place at their grandparents' home, and the case was heard in County Dublin.
When
  • The first accused's offending occurred between 2004 and 2008, and the offending against the younger sister occurred between 2005 and 2008.
  • The younger sister made a complaint in 2021, which led to the abuse against the older sister emerging.
Charges
  • The first accused pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the older girl and sexual assault of the younger girl.
  • The second accused pleaded guilty to one count of rape and sexual assault of the older girl in 2005, though he denied raping his cousin and accepted there was sexual contact.
In court
  • The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, and both men were remanded in custody.
  • John Hayden SC defended the first accused and Dara Foynes SC defended the second accused.
Sentence
Sentencing was adjourned to 31 March 2025.
Other details
  • The first accused was 12 and the older victim was 10 when the offending began, and he had behaved inappropriately towards her before this.
  • The first accused was arrested and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, and his defence said he had access to pornographic images from a young age.
  • Neither brother has any previous convictions, and the second accused was 14 at the time of his offence.
  • The older victim suffers panic attacks and post-traumatic stress and said the abuse left her feeling worthless, unlovable, ashamed and unclean.
  • The younger sister said she lost half of her family, who did not believe her, and that she does not think she would ever feel safe again.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe offending by the first accused occurred on dates between 2004 and 2008 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe younger sister made a complaint in 2021 which led to the abuse against her elder sister emerging (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offending against the younger sister occurred between 2005 and 2008 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe first accused pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the older girl and sexual assault of the younger girl (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe second accused pleaded guilty to one count of rape and sexual assault of the older girl in 2005 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe men were remanded in custody with sentencing adjourned to 31 March (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJohn Hayden SC defended the first accused (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDara Foynes SC defended the second accused (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe first accused was 12 and the older victim was 10 when the offending began (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNeither of the brothers has any previous convictions (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe first accused was arrested and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe second accused denied raping his cousin but accepted there was sexual contact (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe older victim suffers panic attacks and post-traumatic stress (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe younger sister has lost half of her family who do not believe her (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe younger sister was sexually abused beginning when she was seven and the accused was 14 (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe second accused was 14 at the time of his offence (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe first accused's defence said he had access to pornographic images from a young age (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe older victim said the abuse left her feeling worthless, unlovable, ashamed and unclean (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe younger sister said she does not think she would ever feel safe again (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Mar2025
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Sisters lost half their family after reporting sexual abuse by older cousin, court hears

    Guilty pleas recorded at Central Criminal Court; victims' impact statements read; sentencing adjourned to 31 March 2025.

    convicted, 33, maleconvicted, 34, malevictim, femalevictim, female