A woman who suffered a "terrifying ordeal" when she was forcibly bundled into the boot of a car which was then driven off at speed was awarded £114,490 by the High Court in Sligo yesterday.
Ms Siobhan Finan, from Ballinaboll, Ballisodare, Co Sligo, brought her claim against Mr Brendan Collis, aged in his 20s, of Carrickbanagher, Upper Drumfin, Co Sligo. He served a term of imprisonment for the offence, which occurred in February 1995.
The plaintiff was walking along the road when she was overtaken by a car driven by the defendant. He stopped and asked her if her sister was at home.
After a brief exchange she walked on. But the man followed her, got out of his car, put his hands over her mouth and knocked her to the ground.
She struggled to get away but he overpowered her and forced her into the boot of the car before driving off at speed.
Ms Finan found a wheel-brace in the boot and, after scrambling on to the back seat, tried to hit her attacker.
He refused to stop but did eventually when she threatened him with another implement. She then jumped from the car and made her escape.
The court was told that as a result of the incident the plaintiff was frightened of meeting people, particularly men, and would have a grave problem competing in the workplace.
Mr Justice O'Donovan described it as an "outrageous and frightening assault."
