A Dundalk man has been jailed for five years by the Central Criminal Court for the attempted rape of a woman he saw earlier in a pub. John Paul Brennan (36), single, of Hughes Park, pleaded guilty to attempting to rape the woman at Priorland on April 25th, 1998. The court heard Brennan first came to Garda notice when he was 26 years old after his girlfriend committed suicide. This followed the loss of their child and he took to drink.
His mother also died around the same time. Mr Justice Kinlen noted Brennan had a violent childhood and lived with a very violent brother. He had also consumed a lot of drink on the night in question and followed the woman out of the pub. However, drink was no excuse for his actions. The judge said Brennan had shown remorse and pleaded guilty at an early stage. This avoided the victim having to go through the trauma of a trial. The court also had a letter from the prison training officer in praise of Brennan's efforts there.
Garda John Whelan told Mr Sean Ryan SC that Brennan followed the victim from the Muirhevna Inn and dragged her down a lane where he sexually assaulted her. He said the victim arrived at Dundalk Garda station in the early hours of the morning and before she could make her complaint Brennan also arrived.
Mr Barry White SC (with Mr Vincent Browne), defending, said Brennan "abjectly and unconditionally" apologised to his victim. Mr Justice Kinlen said Brennan's sentence could be reviewed in two years.