Courts / Donegal / Report

Donegal man who sexually assaulted partner while she slept is given suspended sentence

Summary

A Donegal man has received a fully suspended sentence following his conviction for sexually assaulting his partner while she slept at their family home in February 2018. The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to sexual assault at the Central Criminal Court after two jury trials ended in disagreement on a more serious charge. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a sentence of two years and six months, suspended in full, citing the guilty plea entered at the earliest opportunity, the man's lack of previous convictions, and assessed low risk of reoffending. The judge set a headline sentence of four years before mitigation. The victim told the court the offence had devastated her life and sense of security. Justice McDermott ordered three years of probation supervision and imposed a condition that the man have no contact with the woman. He also commended the complainant's courage in pursuing the case and cautioned against community attitudes that might target her.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Donegal man who sexually assaulted partner while she slept is given suspended sentence. Charges or matters: sexual assault of the woman at their family home in Donegal, on February 11, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 11, 2018 Incident
• May 2018 Other
• March 2020 Incident
• February 2022 Incident
• 2023-03-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report