Ireland Wicklow man jailed for sexually assaulting sleeping woman
Philip Dignam, a 41-year-old man from Wicklow, recorded eight videos of sexual assaults on a woman who was asleep or unconscious, with the offences taking place on unknown dates in 2020. The victim, Kathleen Morris, became aware of them in 2022 when her then-partner found the videos on a phone she had used. The case went to trial four times, with delays mainly relating to the video evidence, before Dignam pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting her. He was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Paul Burns to eight years in prison, with the final year suspended, a sentence reported on 11 May 2026 in the article text and 1 May 2026 in another version.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Philip Dignam, a man from Wicklow, recorded eight videos of sexual assaults on a woman who was asleep or unconscious.
- When
- The offences took place on unknown dates in 2020.
- One source gives the report date as 1 May 2026, while the article text gives 11 May 2026.
- Investigation
- The victim became aware of the assaults in 2022 when her then-partner found the videos on a phone she had used.
- Charges
- Dignam pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting Kathleen Morris, a late plea.
- In court
- Sentencing was held at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Paul Burns.
- Sentence
- The judge said the case warranted a headline sentence of nine years.
- Dignam was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final year suspended on conditions including three years of Probation Service supervision after release.
- Other details
- Garda evidence was that Morris and Dignam were in a consensual sexual relationship.
- The judge took into account Dignam's cooperation with the garda investigation, though the plea was late.
- The case had gone to trial four times, with delays mainly relating to the video evidence.
- Dignam was on the sex offenders register when the assaults were committed.
- Dignam had a previous conviction for possessing child sex abuse material, from 2018.
- Morris waived her anonymity so Dignam could be named in reporting of the case.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDignam recorded eight videos of sexual assaults on a woman who was asleep or unconscious. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offences took place on dates unknown in 2020. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe victim became aware of the assaults in 2022 when her then-partner found the videos on a phone she had used. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeDignam pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting Kathleen Morris. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe sentence hearing was held at the Central Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said the case warranted a headline sentence of nine years. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceDignam was sentenced to eight years in prison. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe final year was suspended on conditions, including three years of Probation Service supervision after release. (thejournal.ie)
- otherGarda evidence was that Morris and Dignam were in a consensual sexual relationship. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe case had gone to trial four times, with delays mainly relating to the video evidence. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDignam was on the sex offenders register when the assaults were committed. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDignam had a previous conviction for possessing child sex abuse material, from 2018. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe judge took into account Dignam's cooperation with the garda investigation, though it was a late plea. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMorris waived her anonymity so Dignam could be named in reporting of the case. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2026Wicklow man who recorded videos of himself sexually assaulting a sleeping woman jailed
Reports the sentencing of Philip Dignam at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Paul Burns, including the headline sentence, the suspended portion, the previous conviction and the victim's decision to waive anonymity.
convicted, Philip Dignam, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Dignamvictim, Kathleen Morris, female, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Morris