A man has been jailed for 3 1/2 years for an aggravated sexual assault on a young woman in Swords, Co Dublin, in 1997.
Patrick Gregan was facing two possible life sentences arising out of the incident, Mr Justice O'Higgins said at the Central Criminal Court.
Gregan (35), married with one child, of St Cronan's Avenue, Swords, pleaded guilty almost a year ago to aggravated sexual assault of the 27-year-old woman on March 14th, 1997.
Mr Justice O'Higgins said he took Gregan's guilty plea into consideration. However, the crime was most serious and had to be dealt with by a long prison sentence, but he suspended the final 15 months.