Irish businessman pleads guilty to sexually assaulting 15 year-old girl
The man, who is in his 40s, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
The accused, who cannot be named at this stage of proceedings, spoke only to plead guilty.
He pleaded guilty to assaulting the girl by touching her on her breast and her vagina through her clothing.
A second count was taken into consideration.
The court was told the married businessman, who is also a father, employs a number of people in his business.
He has no previous convictions.
The court was told that the victim now resides outside of the country but was present in court for the brief arraignment.
The charge is contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990.
Ms Fiona Crawford BL, prosecutor for the State, said that the guilty plea to the count of sexual assault met the case on a full facts basis.
Barrister for the accused man, Mr James McGowan SC, with Mr Peter Nolan BL, instructed by solicitor Mr Donough Cleary, said his client is a businessman with 'a number of employees'.
The man's barrister requested a full Probation and Welfare Report on his client before final sentencing was passed.
Judge Roderick Maguire granted the request and adjourned the case until October for sentencing.
The victim, who was accompanied to court by a number of family members, was told she could attend the sentencing by videolink.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
TD to make formal complaint after 'being pushed by garda' before All-Ireland
Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae says he has decided to make a formal complaint after allegedly being pushed by a garda before Sunday's All-Ireland final. 'I will [complain] tomorrow, guaranteed, because we did not deserve that,' the deputy told the Irish Mirror on Sunday evening, several hours after the incident in Dublin city centre. The politician was with dozens of fellow Kerry fans in the Cathedral Street street area of the inner city - beside O'Connell Street - when the incident happened. READ MORE: Tears in Croke Park as murdered mother and her two children remembered at All-Ireland final READ MORE: 'It's devastating' - Irish mum's tears over abduction of her two children The incident was caught on camera and was posted online - before quickly going viral. It had been viewed around 100,000 times on social media sites by Sunday night The footage appears to show a uniformed garda using one hand to move Deputy Healy-Rae away from him. The incident started when hundreds of Kerry fans were lining the street ahead of the Croke Park showdown with Donegal for Sam Maguire - and face off their county would later win. Danny Healy-Rae was allegedly pushed by a garda before Sunday's All-Ireland final Several fans noticed Deputy Healy-Rae - who was wearing a Kerry hat and lanyard - walking along the street. He acknowledged the cheers and waved to the fans before walking a few yards. He stopped to wave to fans again, before turning to walk down the street - which is when the incident with the garda happened. The two men walk close to each other and then the garda appears to stick out a hand to move the deputy out of his way. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week The garda then walks on, but a clearly upset Deputy Healy-Rae goes back to approach the officer. The two men talk to each other for a few seconds before they go their separate ways - while the crowd starts booing. Speaking after Kerry's 1-26 to 0-19 victory over Donegal, Deputy Healy-Rae said he was disappointed by the officer's actions. And he said he would be making a complaint on Monday morning. Such complaints are handled by Fiosru, the independent policing watchdog. He said: 'I will tomorrow. I am too busy today, I have a lot of calls there to answer and stuff. I will tomorrow, guaranteed, because we did not deserve that. We came up for no trouble - we came up supporting our team. I expected better from the gardai.' Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has said he will now make a complaint over the incident. (Image: Gareth Chaney Collins) The Kerry TD praised said the other gardai on duty were fine. He said: 'There were other lovely gardai there and they were doing their duty. Deputy Healy-Rae said he had been inundated with comments from other Kerry fans - including those who witnessed the incident. He said: 'They are all talking to me about it. They booed the garda and everything at that stage. I am disappointed with his behaviour. I did nothing to deserve that. There was no trouble. I just don't know.' The Irish Mirror contacted gardai for comment on Sunday evening. A spokeswoman said in a statement: 'An Garda Síochána does not comment on unverified social media content. Any person who wishes to report the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána can do so by contacting Fiosrú.' Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
Sunday World
7 hours ago
- Sunday World
Gang boss's nephew named as ‘pivotal player' in crime gang was chief suspect in gun attack
Cab target Richard Treacy was undone by quantity surveyor's €315,713 estimate Richard Treacy is involved in the day-today running of the gang A nephew of Limerick crime boss Christy Keane, described as 'a pivotal player' in the notorious crime clan after pleading guilty to money laundering, was the chief suspect in a gun attack on hitman Nathan Killeen's brother. Richard Treacy admitted €100,000 from unknown sources had been spent on the house where he lives in Garryowen, Limerick. But a quantity surveyor who accompanied gardaí when a search warrant was executed at the house estimated the cost of the renovations was three times higher. The higher figure from the surveyor's report was referred to in High Court evidence last month in a case against his cousin Kieran Keane Jnr. Crime boss Christy Keane The Special Criminal Court heard this week that Treacy pleaded guilty on the basis that €100,000 had been spent on the house ,which was accepted by the State. Richard Treacy is a nephew of gang boss Christy Keane and a younger brother of Owen Treacy Snr. Owen Treacy Snr survived being abducted and stabbed multiple times by members of the Dundon-McCarthy gang in one of the most infamous incidents in Limerick's gangland feud. Kieran Keane Snr died in the same incident in 2003 for which five men were jailed for life. Richard Treacy is involved in the day-today running of the gang Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 27th Last month his first cousin Kieran Keane Jnr lost a case brought by the Criminal Assets Bureau to have properties and cash in Limerick declared the proceeds of crime. As part of that case there was evidence given to the High Court which gave an account of Richard Treacy's alleged criminal activity. An officer stated: 'He currently operates at the highest level within the Keane OCG and is a pivotal player in the day-to-day running of the criminal organisation.' The house in Garryowen 'He is very close with his cousin Kieran Keane and both are regularly observed in each other's company.' The same witness also stated how a surveyor carried out a detailed review of Treacy's home which included 'refurbishment, extension and redecoration.' The final estimate from the review carried out in 2021 came to €315,713. It was also stated that in the early stages of the feud with the McCarthy-Dundon gang that 'Richard was an active participant. 'He was a target of an attack by Frank 'Fat Frankie' Ryan (deceased) and Christopher McCarthy in June 2006 where he was attacked with weapons. He fled uninjured.' It also mentioned the killing of Daren Coughlan in November 2005 for which Treacy along with his cousin Joe Keane and Shane Kelly were convicted of manslaughter. It was stated this was 'a feud related attacked' as the victim had been a relation of David 'Frog Eyes' Stanners. Stanners, who has since died in prison, was serving a life sentence for the murder of Kieran Keane Snr and the attempted murder of Owen Treacy, Richard's brother. His brother Daniel Treacy, who was not involved in organised crime, was shot dead in 2010 by John Coughlan, Darren's brother. Treacy was also stated as being 'the principal suspect in the shooting of Gavin Killeen at O'Malley Park, Southill Limerick on 20 July 2006'. Gavin Killeen was a brother of McCarthy-Dundon gunman Nathan Killeen who is currently serving a life sentence for his role in the murder of businessman Roy Collins. Their sister Ciara was in a long-term relationship with gang boss John Dundon. Also cited were two incidents of violent disorder in in 2006 and 2015 in which Treacy was involved when members of the rival factions clashed in public. During this week's Special Criminal Court hearing, counsel for Treacy objected to garda evidence at the hearing that his manslaughter conviction was 'feud-related'. Counsel said it was an attempt to 'colour' the minds of the three-judge panel and made an application they recuse themselves. The application was denied. The case has now been adjourned for sentencing on October 20.
Irish Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'It's devastating' - Irish mum's tears over abduction of her two children
A heartbroken mother has hit a brick wall in her battle to get her two abducted sons returned from Egypt. It is now three years since Mandy Kelly spoke to her beloved boys Zayn, seven, and four-year-old Kareem since they were taken by their father while on a family holiday in Cairo. There is no sign of her ordeal ending with the continued failure of the Egyptian authorities to locate her former husband and her kids even though they were given an address where they were staying. A court in Cairo also ruled she should have custody but her mother-in-law is appealing that decision and the case won't be heard until October. Mandy's misery was compounded when Zayn celebrated his birthday and she couldn't even speak to him. The Dundalk, Co Louth native said: 'I haven't seen or heard from my sons in three years. Mandy with Zayn and Kareem. Mandy Kelly with one of her young sons before they were kidnapped by their father (Image: Irish Mirror) 'Zayn has now celebrated three birthdays in a row without me. It is devastating and deeply upsetting. 'My former partner continues to be officially deemed unlocatable by the Egyptian authorities, despite being known to reside with the applicant in the case. 'This ongoing ambiguity paired with the lack of access or communication with my sons , continues to cause deep distress and raises serious questions about procedural fairness. 'The situation is no longer just a personal tragedy, it is a prolonged denial of two Irish children's rights. 'Despite their Irish citizenship and ongoing support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Minister Simon Harris my children remain separated from me in Egypt.' Mandy told how during a high level diplomatic exchange in December 2024 last a commitment was made by the Egyptians to support the safe return of Zayn and Kareem. Mandy Kelly with one of her young sons before they were kidnapped by their father (Image: Irish Mirror) She said: 'While I remain thankful for this engagement, meaningful progress has yet to be realised. 'The court proceedings initiated in Egypt have been repeatedly delayed, with the latest adjournment now pushing the case to October 2025. 'I remain deeply grateful to the Irish Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs for their continued efforts. And I hold hope that through diplomatic resolve and compassion, my sons will soon be returned to their home and family in Ireland.' Last May the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, wrote a letter to Mandy offering her his continuing support. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week He said: 'I am conscious that this remains a very difficult situation for you and I appreciate you taking the time to update me on recent developments. 'As previously communicated to you I raised your case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Dr Badr Abdelatty, earlier this year. I am pleased to inform you that I have more recently written to Dr Abdelatty, to seek a further update in your case. 'In my correspondence I noted my keen desire to see a timely resolution to Zayn and Kareem's case, a resolution that is in their best interests. 'I have also requested any information Dr Abdelatty may be able to share with me regarding whether or not Zayn and Kareem have been enrolled in an educational institution in Egypt, something that I know is very important to you. 'I also want to assure you that Ambassador [Nuala] O'Brien and her team are continuing to engage locally on your case and it remains a priority for the embassy. 'I am conscious that Zayn recently celebrated his 7th birthday, the third year in which he has not been able to celebrate this important milestone with his mother.' Mandy's ordeal began while on a holiday visiting her then husband's relatives in Cairo in March 2022. They were due to return to Dundalk when he locked his wife in their hotel room and took the kids, after deciding he was not coming back to Ireland. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
