Francis Oseghale, reported as Nigerian, was jailed after sexually assaulting an intoxicated passenger who had fallen asleep in his Galway taxi. The survivor waived her anonymity to warn other women about the danger she experienced.
The passenger’s account
Reporting says the woman entered the taxi with another passenger at about 3.30am. After the other passenger was dropped off, she awoke to find Oseghale on top of her in the back of the stopped vehicle, with her clothing moved and her breasts exposed. Her account describes fear, crying and being unable to move.
Timeline
- 15 July 2018: The woman entered Oseghale’s taxi at the Bridge Street rank in Galway after a night out.
- After the other passenger left: The sexual assault occurred while the woman had been asleep in the back of the taxi.
- 23 May 2023: Galway Circuit Court sentenced Oseghale to eighteen months in prison followed by eighteen months under Probation Service supervision.
- 2023: The survivor waived anonymity and spoke publicly to warn other women and girls.
Cost benchmark
Eighteen months at the Irish Prison Service 2024 staffed-space average gives a nominal gross benchmark of €148,608. This is not an audited individual invoice and excludes investigation, prosecution, courts, legal aid, victim services and probation.