Man, 79, pays woman €2,000 for grabbing her breast

A 79-year-old man who grabbed a woman’s breast in a lift at Blarney Woollen Mills has paid her €2,000 as a token of his remorse.

Andrew O’Callaghan of Gurrane South, Donoughmore, Co Cork, denied sexual assault but Judge Olann Kelleher found the facts proven and adjourned the case until yesterday for the preparation of a victim impact statement.

Defence solicitor Emmet Boyle said the woman had taken a very Christian attitude to the matter in her victim impact statement.

Judge Kelleher agreed and said it was a very sad case relating to a 79-year-old man who was never in trouble in his life.

“This man is respected in his local community and this should not have happened but unfortunately it did,” said Judge Olann Kelleher. “At this stage in his life, I am going to leave him without a conviction. He is going to leave the court without a conviction. Great credit is due to the victim.”

O’Callaghan was given the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act.

During the trial, the woman said O’Callaghan put one hand around her waist and caught one of her breasts with his other hand while they were in the lift at Blarney Woollen Mills.

When questioned about the incident during the trial a fortnight ago, O’Callaghan said: “If it was to free Ireland, I would not do it at all ever.”