A DONEGAL man who attacked a 19 year old woman near her home and attempted to rape her has been jailed for six years by the Central Criminal Court.
Mr Justice Lavan told Seamus James Brennan he had committed an "appalling assault" and the victim impact report on the woman made sad reading.
But he said would review the case in June, 1999. If there was a satisfactory community based anti alcohol programme in place for Brennan, he would then consider "taking a certain course".
On January 15th last, Brennan (38), who is separated with five children and from Loughanornan, Annagry, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty to attempted rape and aggravated sexual assault in Co Donegal on September 18th, 1994.
Defence counsel Mr Gregory Murphy SC said his client had been attacked by vigilantes in March, 1995, and beaten with a pick axe handle. He was confined to a wheelchair for five months. He was also attending AA while in custody.
Supt Den is Cullinan told prosecutor Ms Miriam Reynolds that the victim had been returning home after a party when she was attacked by Brennan less than 50 yards from her house. He approached from behind and pushed her into a bush. He then threw her across the path, punched her in the face, sat on her and tried unsuccessfully to rape her. He repeatedly hit her and at one point tightened his grip around her neck when she would not stop screaming.
The victim alerted the authorities, and gardai quickly identified Brennan as a suspect. He was interviewed but denied the attack. He also told gardai he had been drinking and taking pills and could not remember the incident, Supt Cullinan told Mr Murphy.
The superintendent said the woman suffered nightmares for months after the attack and had been afraid to go out at night.