BUSINESSMAN JAILED FOR TWO YEARS AFTER SEXUALLY ASSAULTING YOUNG GIRL
Patrick McLaughlin, now aged 45, admitted to sexually assaulting a teenage girl when she was 15.The case was brought to court, where he was jailed for two years.
He appeared for sentencing at Letterkenny Circuit Court, while the victim, now in her 20s, appeared by audio link from outside the country where she resides.
McLaughlin admitted to one charge of sexual assault, with another similar charge taken into consideration.
The assault occurred in 2014, when McLaughlin was 34 and the girl was 15.
The charge was contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990.
The incident took place at an address in the Dungloe area, when McLaughlin had consumed alcohol.
The girl reported the assault to Gardai when she was 21, leading to his arrest and interview.
Although the case was set for trial, McLaughlin, with no previous convictions, pled guilty before proceedings, resulting in a two-year sentence following a reduced sentence of three years with suspension for the last year, conditional on abstaining from alcohol and attending probation supervision.
The court described his breach of trust as a 'gross breach' and highlighted the significant negative impact on the victim's life and her relationship.
