DUBLIN, Ireland: A wealthy American real estate agent has admitted sexually assaulting a young man in the sauna at Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel.

Bryan McNeill, 55, from K Street, Boston, Massachusetts, had posted 30,000 euros as bail to return to the United States in March. He appeared in Dublin District Court this week and pleaded guilty. Sentencing was adjourned until September 24.

Judge Paula Murphy was told that McNeill "misread the situation" until the victim, a 19-year-old college student, stood up and told him to stop. Detective Garda Cathal Ryan said the student was staying at the five-star hotel with a family member and had used the gym before entering the sauna, where the assault occurred. The victim later reported the incident to gardaí.

McNeill admitted to gardaí that he had engaged with the student, claiming it was consensual, but the complainant insisted it was not. McNeill was due to return to the U.S. the next day, but stayed in Ireland while authorities decided to charge him. Detective Ryan confirmed that McNeill had no previous convictions in Ireland or abroad and had been fully cooperative throughout the investigation. He kept authorities updated on his location and changed travel plans accordingly.

The detective also said that while this assault was at a lower level compared with more severe cases he had handled, it was still serious and traumatic for the victim. When the student indicated discomfort, McNeill stopped immediately, accepted by both the defence and prosecution.

During the hearing, the student read a victim impact statement, describing weeks of shock and emotional withdrawal following the assault. He said his family noticed he had become more irritable and less happy, and he attributed part of his college exam failure to the incident.

McNeill did not address the court directly but nodded to confirm his guilty plea. His husband submitted a letter noting that McNeill's health had declined due to stress, including ongoing vertigo.

Defence counsel Oisín Clarke described McNeill as coming from humble beginnings, achieving a third-level education, and building a successful career as a real estate agent. Clarke highlighted that McNeill had an unblemished record, was the primary caregiver for his ill mother, and had shown deep involvement in charity work. The defence emphasized that the offence was out of character, and McNeill had expressed remorse, agreeing to cover counselling costs for the victim and make a charitable donation.

Judge Murphy adjourned the case to consider her ruling, taking into account the early guilty plea and the possibility of applying the Probation of Offenders Act, which could spare McNeill a criminal conviction.