DAVID RADFORD'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN DUBLIN AND TALLAGHT: SEX OFFENDER'S REIGN OF TERROR REVEALED

In November 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving David Radford, a convicted sex offender whose actions and subsequent legal battles have sent shockwaves through the communities of Dublin and Tallaght. Radford, aged 21 and formerly residing on Butterfield Avenue in Rathfarnham, Dublin, faced serious charges that culminated in a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence handed down in November 2015 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. His criminal record is extensive, with a total of 15 prior convictions, including three for sexually assaulting women during random attacks, with the earliest dating back to April 2010 when he was just 14 years old.

Radford’s initial sentence was suspended, with the final 12 months contingent upon his compliance with probation conditions. However, his release in March of the same year marked the beginning of further issues. Despite the conditions set by the court, Radford was found to have breached bail conditions by refusing emergency accommodation arranged for him after his release. Instead, he chose to sleep rough, raising concerns about his safety and compliance.

During a hearing in October, Judge Martin Nolan addressed Radford’s situation, emphasizing that he would not allow Radford to live on the streets. The judge expressed his concern over Radford’s refusal to accept the accommodation provided by the probation service, which led to the decision to activate the suspended part of his sentence. Radford’s defense counsel, Kieran Kelly BL, explained that Radford had been subjected to negative publicity in a national Sunday newspaper and had faced ongoing abuse since his release. He also highlighted that Radford had been attacked multiple times and was worried about his safety if placed in a hostel environment.

Judge Nolan made it clear that Radford’s preference to avoid homeless shelters was not acceptable, stating, “I’m not going to let Mr Radford out to live rough.” The judge further explained that if Radford was unwilling to live in the accommodation provided, the court had no choice but to activate the remaining 12 months of his suspended sentence. Radford was remanded in custody for one month, with the court noting that the decision on his residence was entirely his own.

Following this, a probation report was presented to the court, revealing that Radford preferred staying where he currently was, near the Institute of Technology in Tallaght, rather than in a homeless center. Based on this report, Judge Nolan officially activated the suspended 12-month period of his sentence. As of the latest update, Radford has been released and is living in the vicinity of Tallaght, a suburb of Dublin.

Looking back to his earlier conviction in November 2015, Radford was sentenced for a heinous assault on a 15-year-old girl. The incident involved Radford attempting to lure the girl into a cul-de-sac after telling her he wanted her and her body. CCTV footage played a crucial role in identifying Radford as the suspect, showing him following the girl from her Luas stop before approaching her under the guise of asking for directions to a main road. Despite denying the allegations during police interviews, Radford was re-arrested in January 2015 after DNA evidence linked him to the scene.

Radford’s criminal history includes three convictions for sexual assault dating back to when he was just 14. The court heard that on the night of the attack, the teenager noticed Radford had his hand down his pants while walking beside her. He then grabbed her from behind, pushed her toward the cul-de-sac, and attempted to assault her. The girl managed to scream and fight her way free, running for some distance before meeting a friend who took her home. The police were alerted, and Radford was identified through a detailed description provided by the victim.

The victim impact statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound psychological toll the attack had taken. The teenager described suffering from nightmares every night, waking up screaming for her mother, and being unable to sleep because she kept seeing Radford’s face. She expressed feelings of numbness, confusion, and a sense that she would never recover from the trauma. Despite her suffering, she acknowledged that her family’s support had helped her find ways to cope.

Judge Nolan acknowledged Radford’s claim of amnesia, attributing it to drug use, but emphasized that this did not diminish his culpability. The judge noted that the impact on the victim was both reasonable and expected given the circumstances. Radford’s remorse was recognized, but his history of similar offending led to the decision to suspend the last 12 months of his sentence under strict conditions, aiming to prevent further harm and ensure accountability.