A Clare man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl in her home.
The 53-year-old man pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting the girl in November of 2009.
The victim in this case was just 8 years of age and had been watching TV when the 53 year old man who, cannot be named, came into the room.
The girl told her mother and later Gardaí that the man had touched her chest area and private parts.
The court heard the Clare man had expressed remorse for his actions saying he didn’t know what came over him to commit the crime.
Defending Counsel Isobel Kennedy said her client had some intellectual difficulties but is employed and comes from a decent family.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring said the severity of the impact of sexual abuse on children cannot be overstated and sentenced him to two and a half years in prison.
