Courts / Dublin / Report
Man jailed for sexually assaulting "almost unconscious" woman at festival
Summary
Steven Hennessy, 38, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a seriously drunk, almost unconscious woman at a Dublin festival in September 2016. The victim, who remains anonymous, only realised what had happened after waking in a medical hut and learning a man had been arrested. Hennessy, who was also severely intoxicated, was observed by a group of friends putting his hand inside the woman's trousers and digitally penetrating her. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan noted Hennessy's cooperation, admissions, guilty plea and expression of remorse, as well as his good work record and loss of employment. The judge imposed a custodial sentence but suspended the final 14 months on strict conditions, citing mitigation. No compensation or financial penalty was imposed, leaving that matter to civil courts. The victim did not submit a victim impact statement. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for sexually assaulting "almost unconscious" woman at festival. Charges or matters: sexual assault of the woman at a location in Dublin in September 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2016 Incident
- 2017-12-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: sexual assault of the woman at a location in Dublin in September 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He accepted that he would probably not have committed the offence except for his intoxicated state, but noted "inebriation and intoxication affords no defence." Judge Nolan imposed a sentence of two years imprisonment and said by reason of the mitigation he was going to suspend the final 14 months on strict conditions. He said, in relation to the €10,000 brought to court by Hennessy, that as he was not disposed to impose a non-custodial sentence, he was not going to deal with the issue of compensation or financial penalty.
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