Man cleared of raping acquaintance at house party is jailed for assault

A 21-year-old man from Sligo has been sentenced to two years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, following his conviction for assault at the Central Criminal Court. The man was acquitted of rape but found guilty of assault causing harm related to an incident at a house party in Sligo on 26 June 2014. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The court heard evidence that the victim was bitten during the assault. In sentencing, Mr Justice Paul Butler noted the victim's impact statement describing significant psychological harm. The judge acknowledged the man's explanation that he was heavily intoxicated and observed he has abstained from alcohol since the incident, though he carries seven previous convictions including violent disorder and public order offences. The suspended portion of the sentence is conditional on specified undertakings.