Wicklow man jailed for sexually assaulting daughter's best friend after barbeque
A 56-year-old Wicklow man was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment (two years with six months suspended) at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court after being convicted by jury of sexually assaulting his teenage daughter's best friend, who was 18 at the time, at a barbeque in his home in April 2014.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced14 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe accused man is 56 years old and cannot be identified for legal reasons (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was 18 years old at the time of the assault (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim had consumed some alcohol during the party (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused placed his left hand down the back of her jeans and used his right hand to feel her bare breast (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused had no prior convictions (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man and his wife sold their home and moved to the west of Ireland after incidents including criminal damage at their house (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim described the accused as a predator (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim suffered from thoughts of suicide, flashbacks and post-traumatic stress disorder (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man acted as a carer for his wife who has a genetic disorder (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred on April 26-27, 2014, in the man's home in Co Wicklow (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe matter was first reported to gardaí in April 2019 and the defendant denied the allegation (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe man had pleaded not guilty to the charge of sexual assault (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe man was convicted by unanimous jury verdict in a four-day trial at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court which concluded in March 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe man was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with the final six months suspended on condition he keeps the peace (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Feb2025Wicklow man jailed for sexually assaulting daughter's best friend after barbeque
Sentencing report: the man was convicted by unanimous jury verdict in a four-day trial concluding in March 2023 and sentenced by Judge Patrick Quinn to two years with six months suspended. The victim, now 29, gave a victim impact statement describing PTSD and suicidal thoughts. The man had no prior convictions, and his defence counsel expressed shame on his behalf. The man and his wife had sold their home and moved to the west of Ireland after the assault became known.
victim, 18, femaleconvicted, 56, male