Man jailed for having sex with girl at a party

A man who had sex with a 15-year-old girl at a party has been jailed for two years at the Central Criminal Court.

The manpleaded guilty to one count of defilement of a child on August 4, 2012, at a location in Co Meath.

The girl was staying in a house where there had been an 18th birthday party. The man, who was 21 at the time, tried to kiss the girl but was told she was only 15 and had a boyfriend. The girl went to sleep at 2.30am. At 6am, the man came into the room where she was sleeping and had sex with her.

Sentencing the man to three years in prison with the final year suspended, Mr Justice Paul Carney said he had to take into account the man’s guilty plea and his good work ethic, but also the considerable effect the incident had on the victim.

He ordered the man to pay a bond of €1,000 to keep the peace and that he stay away from the girl “in perpetuity”.

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Caroline Biggs, prosecuting, the girl, now 18, said she thought of taking her life several times since, and would have but for the support of her family, friends, and counsellors. She said she worried people would be “looking at me, talking about me, and judging me”.

Derek Kenneally, defending, said that the man is “extremely mindful now of the consequence of his actions” and that he apologised “for the hurt and difficulty and trauma he has caused her and wishes her well”

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