Courts / Dublin / Report

Man jailed for sexually assaulting friend while she slept

Date
2025-07-14
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A 37‑year‑old man was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions, for sexually assaulting a friend while she slept. The assault took place in September 2019 at an address in Co. Dublin. The victim was socialising and drinking with friends the night before, and the next morning she slept on a sofa while the man slept on another. She woke to find him kneeling beside her and assaulting her. He had unbuttoned her jeans without waking her and asked, "did you want me to fuck you?" She replied, "Get away from me." He then re‑buttoned her jeans and left. The man pleaded guilty, had no prior convictions, and cooperated with investigators. He expressed remorse, apologised, and said he had studied consent. The judge noted the seriousness of the offence, the victim's sleep, and the man's personal circumstances, and imposed the custodial sentence with a suspended portion.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man jailed for sexually assaulting friend while she slept. Charges or matters: sexual assault on a date in September 2019 at an address in Co. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 37-year-old

Defendant

Charges: sexual assault on a date in September 2019 at an address in Co (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: By Eimear Dodd A man who sexually assaulted his friend while she was sleeping has been jailed for two and a half years. The judge said the custodial threshold had been passed and handed the man a three year sentence, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions.

Places mentioned

Incident
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Garda Station
  • accepted responsibility at the garda station

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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