A young woman had to jump from a moving car in the Connor Pass in Kerry to escape from a man who was sexually assaulting her, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
John Hallissey (45), father of six children, of St Mitchell's Crescent, Tralee, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on August 15th, 1996.
Mr Justice Smith adjourned sentence to tomorrow after he received a number of testimonials on Hallissey's behalf, stating the offence was out of character.
Ms Maureen Clark SC, prosecuting, said the victim had been wary of accepting a lift from a man, but they had chatted and he initially appeared friendly.
Hallissey made some excuse about driving past where she wanted to be let off and his talk then became very personal. "He said he only wanted a ride and would pay for it," said Ms Clark.
The woman noticed his trousers was open and his penis was protruding. The victim struggled valiantly, Ms Clark said, as Hallissey tried to open her trousers. The car was moving very slowly and she jumped out.
Some tourists brought her to a friend's house and the gardai were called.
Insp Martin McCarthy, of Tralee, said that based on the victim's information he directed Hallissey's arrest. Insp McCarthy agreed with Ms Clark that the defendant pleaded guilty in May on the day of his trial. By his plea he was accepting he had taken off the victim's clothes and had sexually assaulted her by putting his hands into her.
Hallissey had been unemployed for 15 years. He had no previous convictions, kept to himself and did not drink.