A YOUNG woman who was sexually assaulted by an older neighbour seven years ago has secured a €175,000 award for damages in the High Court against the man.
The court heard the woman may be able to pursue the 60-year- old man to pay the award because he was previously married to a lottery winner who owns a number of properties.
The woman was in her late 20s when the assault occurred in October 2001.
She said he pulled her into a living room, forced himself on her and put her through an hour-long sexual ordeal. The woman said she had trusted him because he knew her parents.
He was later tried in the Circuit Court where he denied the charge and claimed what had happened was consensual. He was convicted and served most of an 18-month sentence before the conviction was overturned on appeal and he was released.
However, the woman, who said the assault had a profound effect on her, sued him for damages in the High Court.
Ms Justice Maureen Clark was told by counsel for the woman that liability had been conceded by the man. The matter was before the court purely to assess damages.
Through her own strength of character, the woman eventually returned to her studies and obtained a diploma in law.
While no amount of money could remove the effects of the ordeal, the judge said she would assess damages at €175,000.