Ireland Case No. 10739Indecent assault · Co. Galway
Westmeath man jailed for three years over sexual abuse of sister in 1960s
Sean Monaghan, a 79-year-old man from Westmeath, was accused of indecent assault of his sister, Julie Fogarty, on dates between 1962 and 1963 in rural County Galway. Julie Fogarty made a formal complaint to gardaí in 2014 and gave a statement in 2024, and Monaghan made admissions when arrested after initially claiming he had been blackmailed. Monaghan pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault of his sister. On 2 March 2026, Justice Kerida Naidoo sentenced him at the Central Criminal Court to a three-year global sentence, saying the maximum penalty available was insufficient.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sean Monaghan pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault of his sister, Julie Fogarty.
- The abuse involved inappropriate touching and penetration with a bicycle pump.
- Where
- The abuse took place in rural County Galway.
- When
- The offences took place on dates between 1962 and 1963.
- Investigation
- The victim made a formal complaint to gardaí in 2014.
- The victim gave a statement to gardaí in 2024.
- Monaghan made admissions when arrested, after initially claiming he had been blackmailed.
- Charges
- Monaghan pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault.
- In court
- Justice Kerida Naidoo sentenced Monaghan at the Central Criminal Court on 2 March 2026.
- Sentence
- Monaghan was jailed for three years, a global sentence after consecutive terms on various counts.
- The maximum penalty for the offences was two years per offence under the law at the time.
- The judge said the maximum penalty available was insufficient.
- Other details
- Monaghan had no previous convictions and had worked most of his life.
- Monaghan's counsel said he has prostate cancer and is awaiting cataract surgery.
- The victim waived her right to anonymity, and a victim impact statement described the lasting impact of the abuse.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMonaghan pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault of his sister. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe abuse involved inappropriate touching and penetration with a bicycle pump. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place in rural Galway. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offences took place on dates between 1962 and 1963. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe victim made a formal complaint to gardaí in 2014 and gave a statement in 2024. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationMonaghan made admissions when arrested, after initially claiming he had been blackmailed. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJustice Kerida Naidoo sentenced Monaghan at the Central Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceMonaghan was jailed for three years. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a global sentence of three years after consecutive terms on various counts. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe maximum penalty for the offences was two years per offence under the law at the time. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe judge said the maximum penalty available was insufficient. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe victim wished to waive her right to anonymity. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMonaghan had no previous convictions and had worked most of his life. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMonaghan's counsel said he has prostate cancer and is awaiting cataract surgery. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA victim impact statement described the lasting impact of the abuse. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Mar2026'Deliberate exploitation': Westmeath man (79) jailed for sexual abuse of sister over 60 years ago
Reports the sentencing: three-year global sentence, the victim's waiver of anonymity, mitigation and victim impact evidence, and the history of the complaint.
convicted, Sean Monaghan, 79, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Monaghanvictim, Julie Fogarty, 74, female, irish (judged from name)Julie Fogarty