Courts / Dublin / Report
Sex assault victim brought case to court to protect others
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 30‑year‑old Jonas Mercado pleaded guilty to a single charge of sexual assault after an incident on Middle Abbey Street on 15 July 2017. According to Garda Colm McCloskey, Mercado approached a woman speaking on her mobile phone, placed a hand on her leg, grabbed her underwear and tried to tear them off. Passersby heard shouts, restrained Mercado and he fled. The victim, who felt "extremely vulnerable and frightened," gave a victim impact statement urging the court to protect other women, noting she still feels uneasy when going out. After the assault she reported the incident to Gardaí at Ballymun Station, where she initially thought the act was a joke. Mercado had previously left Ireland for Australia, where he was convicted of a breaking and entering offence; he returned to Ireland last year and was arrested.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sex assault victim brought case to court to protect others. Charges or matters: one charge of sexual assault following an incident that occurred on Middle Abbey Street on 15 July, 2017; a breaking and entering offence while in Australia and gardai were then informed by Australian authorities when Mercado left there to return to Ireland last year. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- 15 July Incident
- October 18 Adjournment
- 2021-06-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one charge of sexual assault following an incident that occurred on Middle Abbey Street on 15 July, 2017; a breaking and entering offence while in Australia and gardai were then informed by Australian authorities when Mercado left there to return to Ireland last year (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Judge Melanie Greally noted that Mercado's behaviours were "very concerning" and said there should be a full risk assessment of the defendant before any sentence is handed down.; The case was adjourned until October 18 next.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Middle Abbey Street
- the victim to Ballymun Garda Station
- Ballymun
Topics
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