A 41-year-old man who assaulted and falsely imprisoned an anti-immigration campaigner, Ms Aine Ní Chonaill, was jailed for three years yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Patrick "Mock" O'Driscoll, of Skibbereen, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to assaulting and imprisoning the campaigner at her home in Rosscarbery on February 15th.
The court was told that the defendant knocked Ms Ní Chonaill down and put his hands over her mouth to prevent her screaming. She sustained scratches to her face in the incident.
He then ordered her to drive him to Cork. Ms Ní Chonaill did as she was instructed as she feared further violence.
She managed to alert the authorities when O'Driscoll stopped the car at a bar in Innishannon, Co Cork. He was arrested by gardaí and taken to the local station for questioning.
Mr Dermot Sheehan, defending, said his client had a drink problem which he was unable to conquer.
O'Driscoll, he added, came from a large family and had very little education.
O'Driscoll apologised to Ms Ní Chonaill for his actions and told the judge he was terrified of returning to prison.
On sentencing, Judge Sean Ó Donnabhain said the victim experienced a horrific ordeal.
He said O'Driscoll had very little insight into his behaviour and jailed him for three years. The last 12 months of the sentence were suspended to allow O'Driscoll attend an alcohol addiction clinic.