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. 4078Rape, sexual assault · Co. Waterford

William Kavanagh, 67, jailed for 16.5 years for rape of ex-wife and younger sister

William Kavanagh, 67, of Millbrook Court, Waterford, was sentenced to 17.5 years (with the final year suspended) at the Central Criminal Court on 19 January 2026 after being convicted of 59 offences, including rape and sexual assault, against his ex-wife and her younger sister, who was a child at the time of the offending.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKavanagh was convicted of a total of 59 offences against both women (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences took place in Waterford and Wexford (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences against the younger sister occurred from when she was about seven to 16 years old (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences took place between 1996 and 2006 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe pleaded not guilty to three counts of anal rape of his former wife (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe pleaded not guilty to 56 charges relating to her younger sister (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCharges against the younger sister involved sexual assault, oral rape, anal rape and vaginal rape (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe was given consecutive sentences totalling 17 and a half years (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe final year of the sentence was suspended on strict conditions (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a consecutive term of 12 years and six months for offences against the sister (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced the global sentence by two years before imposing 17 years and six months (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe final 12 months of the term was suspended (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKavanagh is a well-known local musician who used to busk around the Waterford and Kilkenny area (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe has four previous convictions, including two for assault (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBoth women want Kavanagh named but do not wish their own names published (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe older sister is now aged 49 (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe younger sister is now 36 (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe older sister developed a relationship with Kavanagh as a 17-year-old when he was a married man 18 years her senior (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge described the offence against the ex-wife as involving controlling behaviour, violence and degradation, and a breach of trust (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge noted Kavanagh lost the most important mitigating feature by not accepting the jury's verdict (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Jan2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man jailed for 16.5 years for rape of ex-wife and younger sister

    Sentencing details including victim impact statements, judge's reasoning on moral culpability, and breakdown of consecutive terms.

    convicted, William Kavanagh, 67, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Kavanaghvictim, 49, femalevictim, 36, female