Early hearing desired for challenge to businessman's sentence for sex assault

The DPP has applied for an early hearing date for a challenge to the leniency of the sentence handed down to a Dublin businessman for sexual assault.

Anthony Lyons was jailed for six years at the end of July for attacking and sexually assaulting a woman on Griffith Avenue in Dublin over two years ago.

However, the trial Judge suspended five-and-a-half years and ordered him to pay €75,000 to his victim.

Lyons, who owns an aircraft leasing company, originally denied attacking the woman when he was arrested near the scene on October 3, 2010 but later told gardaí that his cholesterol medication made him assault her.

The Court of Criminal Appeal has been asked if it can fix a date to hear the case within the next three weeks, as Lyons is due for release in the middle of December.