Thursday 29 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. 9796Sexual assault of a child · Co. Dublin · 1 Aug 2022

Wicklow man given suspended sentence for sexual assault of six-year-old girl

Ethan Lacey, a man from Wicklow, placed his hands on the legs of a six-year-old girl and was seen cupping her genital area while trying to distract her with sweets, at a Dublin address on 1 August 2022. A jury unanimously found him guilty of one count of sexual assault of a child. The judge set a headline sentence of three years and imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence, suspended in full for three years, with Probation supervision for three years. The sentence was reported on 7 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ethan Lacey placed his hands on the legs of a six-year-old girl and was seen cupping her genital area while trying to distract her with sweets.
Where
The offence took place at a Dublin address.
When
The offence took place on 1 August 2022.
Charges
Lacey was found unanimously guilty by a jury of one count of sexual assault of a child.
In court
  • The judge said there was no evidence of premeditation or planning and no breach of trust.
  • The defence asked the court not to impose an immediate custodial sentence.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of three years.
  • The judge imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence, suspended in full for three years.
  • Lacey was placed under Probation supervision for three years.
Other details
  • The girl was clothed at the time.
  • The judge said the child did not suffer any immediate physical injuries but had been referred for counselling.
  • A court heard the six-year-old victim later showed signs of anxiety after the assault.
  • The Journal described Lacey as a Wicklow man.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLacey placed his hands on the six-year-old's legs. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatLacey was seen cupping the girl's genital area with his hands while trying to distract her with sweets. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place at a Dublin address. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on 1 August 2022. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeLacey was found unanimously guilty by a jury of one count of sexual assault of a child. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said there was no evidence of premeditation or planning and no breach of trust. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe defence asked the court not to impose an immediate custodial sentence. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of three years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence, suspended in full for three years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceLacey was placed under Probation supervision for three years. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe girl was clothed at the time. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the child did not suffer any immediate physical injuries but had been referred for counselling. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Wicklow man who sexually assaulted six-year-old girl given fully suspended sentence

    Reports the jury verdict and suspended sentence. No matching case in the existing list.

    convicted, Ethan Lacey, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ethan Laceyvictim, 6, female