Teen (19) sexually assaulted by sister's partner as she slept

A 27-year-old Donegal man has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenager as she slept at his home on 4 June 2017. The Central Criminal Court heard that the then-19-year-old was staying at the accused's apartment when the assault occurred. The woman provided a victim impact statement describing the profound effects of the offence over the subsequent five and a half years, including flashbacks, nightmares, and lost family support. She expressed how the ordeal had been life-changing but stated she now views herself as a survivor rather than a victim. The accused initially claimed the contact was consensual but now accepts he caused harm to a woman who did nothing to provoke the assault. Defence counsel noted the accused had been drinking, which does not excuse the crime. Mr Justice McDermott adjourned finalisation of the case to April 2023 to allow completion of a probation report and full mitigation hearing. The judge remarked that the five and a half year delay had compounded the complainant's suffering.