Seven years for deaf man who assaulted partner's friend

A deaf man who sexually assaulted his partner's friend after a New Year's Eve party in the couple's home has been given a seven-year prison sentence by Judge Frank O'Donnell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

David Walsh (aged 33), of no fixed abode, was convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting the 43-year-old woman, who is also deaf, in his young son's bedroom on January 1, 2004. Walsh's partner did not hear the victim's screams as she was also deaf.

The jury returned its verdict on day-five of the trial last April following less than one hour's deliberations.

Judge O'Donnell suspended the final year of Walsh's sentence but told him: "Yours was a mean, foul attack on a person who showed nothing but goodwill towards you."

Sergeant Fiona Broderick told prosecution counsel Mr Garnet Orange BL that Walsh didn't turn up for his first trial in July 2007 but had no previous convictions and had been in custody since.

Defence counsel Mr Paul Greene BL said his client ended up on the streets after the assault and has now been isolated from the deaf community.

Judge O'Donnell backdated Walsh's sentence to the date he entered into custody.