US Businessman Receives Suspended Sentence for Sauna Assault

A 55-year-old American real estate agent has received a suspended prison sentence after groping a young man in the sauna of the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Bryan McNeill, who is based in Boston, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for twelve months, and ordered to pay €10,000 in compensation to the victim, a 19-year-old college student.

The incident occurred in early March 2023, and McNeill was allowed to return to the United States shortly after the event. He pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault during a hearing at Dublin District Court on Monday. Sentencing was adjourned to the following day, where the court heard details of the assault that prompted a strong response from the presiding judge, Judge Murphy.

In court, McNeill’s defence counsel, Oisín Clarke, requested that the judge refrain from imposing a criminal conviction, citing factors such as McNeill’s early guilty plea, remorse, and his role as a primary caregiver for his mother. They also highlighted an offer to pay for therapy for the complainant, his lack of prior convictions, and his previously good character. Nevertheless, Judge Murphy emphasized the seriousness of the offence, describing the act as invasive and greatly misjudged, particularly given the significant age difference between McNeill and the victim.

According to evidence presented by Detective Garda Cathal Ryan, the victim reported that while using the sauna, McNeill inappropriately touched him under his shorts, groping him on multiple occasions. The victim, who was staying at the five-star hotel with a family member, recounted feeling shocked and confused, noting that he did not initiate the interaction and had simply been enjoying the hotel amenities.

In his victim impact statement, the young man expressed that the experience has left him feeling more anxious and withdrawn. He mentioned a decline in his overall well-being and noted that he struggled to articulate the event to his parents, stating, “I do wonder why this was done to me. I am friendly and social, but definitely more worried than I used to be.”

Judge Murphy recorded a conviction against McNeill but allowed the sentence to be suspended, imposing conditions that include no further offences within the next year and full payment of the compensation within six months. The victim did not attend the sentencing hearing, but his mother was present and heard the judge commend the young man’s honesty and composure in recounting his experience.

McNeill, who had been granted bail set at €30,000, did not address the court during the proceedings. In a letter submitted by his husband, it was stated that McNeill had suffered health issues, including vertigo, attributed to stress following the incident.

The court ultimately classified the offence as mid-range in severity, underscoring the need for accountability in cases of sexual assault.