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. 3135Sexual assault of a child · Co. Dublin · 1 Aug 2022

Wicklow man sentenced for sexual assault of six-year-old girl

Ethan Lacey, 26, of Bray, Co. Wicklow, was sentenced at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin, for the sexual assault of a six-year-old girl in August 2022. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence suspended for three years, with three years' probation supervision.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe was trying to distract the child with sweets during the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe young girl was clothed at the time of the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe child did not suffer any immediate physical injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe judge found no evidence of premeditation or planning on Lacey's part. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThere was no breach of trust as the child did not know Lacey. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 1 August 2022 at a Dublin address. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeLacey was found unanimously guilty by a jury of one count of sexual assault of a child. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of three years for the offence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceLacey was given a two-and-a-half-year sentence suspended in full for three years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceLacey was placed under the supervision of the Probation Services for three years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe child has been referred for counselling. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe now nine-year-old victim is being assessed for play therapy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe child is showing signs of anxiety. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLacey does not deny there was contact but maintains it was not sexually motivated. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA psychological report states Lacey denies any sexual attraction to children and is assessed at low risk of re-offending. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLacey has no previous convictions, no addiction issues, and is in part-time employment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLacey has experienced the death of a sibling. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLacey is in a relationship and his partner and parents were in court to support him. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 May2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Wicklow man, 26, who sexually assaulted 6-year-old given learns fate

    Sentencing hearing at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin, on 7 May 2026. Lacey was found unanimously guilty by a jury of one count of sexual assault of a child. The judge set a headline sentence of three years but imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence suspended for three years with probation supervision.

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