A retired District Court judge has gone to the High Court in a bid to strike out a personal injuries action against him by a woman who alleges he sexually assaulted her at a book launch in Kerry. Judge James O'Connor of Glenbeigh, Co Kerry, who retired from the bench in 2018, has denied all allegations. Later, she claims she was walking through the hotel when she alleged the judge came directly across her path. Ms St John Harrington claimed she was extremely distressed and shocked by the alleged assault, and her GP diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder. She said the woman had claimed a GP diagnosed her with PTSD, but counsel said a GP cannot diagnose PTSD.

Source: Irish Examiner January 20, 2026 20:10 UTC