A woman who was raped by an Irish firefighter in a Boston hotel has filed a lawsuit against Court TV, alleging the network twice aired her name on its broadcast during the trial, in violation of a judge's order.
The victim, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, claims that Court TV broadcast her name via a chyron on screen during its coverage of the trial of Terence Crosbie, 39. Crosbie, an Irish firefighter visiting Boston for the St. Patrick's Day Parade, was convicted of raping the woman in a hotel room on March 15, 2024. The conviction occurred in October 2025 following a mistrial, and Crosbie was sentenced to seven to nine years in prison.
Massachusetts law typically keeps the identities of sexual assault victims confidential. The judge presiding over Crosbie's trial had explicitly ordered all media outlets to redact the victim's name during broadcasts. The lawsuit states that Court TV "apparently believed in this case that these restrictions were merely advisory" and failed to ensure its team strictly complied with the court's directives.
According to the lawsuit, Doe's name appeared on the chyron not only once but a second time, after the first violation had already been brought to the network's attention. This broadcast content was subsequently published to social media platforms, leading to her identity going viral online. The plaintiff alleges that this disclosure has caused her further trauma and that the harm, due to the internet's permanence, cannot be remedied.
Doe had previously contacted Court TV's parent company, E.W. Scripps Company, in January seeking $2.8 million in damages. Jellysmack, which acquired Court TV in February, also reportedly rejected her request. The federal lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress, physical and mental suffering, and medical bills.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Crosbie and other members of the Dublin Fire Brigade arrived in Boston on March 14, 2024. The woman testified that she had consensual sexual relations with Crosbie's roommate, Liam O'Brien, at a pub before returning to the hotel. She stated she fell asleep and later awoke to find Crosbie raping her. Crosbie had initially denied any physical contact with the woman.
He was apprehended shortly after the incident on March 16, 2024, and seen in police bodycam footage being escorted off a plane as he attempted to return to Dublin.