A Dublin teenager who savagely attacked a young woman in a sexual assault has been jailed for five years by the Central Criminal Court.
Savino Cooney (18), of Thornville Avene, Kilbarrack, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a woman (19) at Upper Duke Lane in Dublin city centre on May 24th, 1998. Prosecuting counsel, Mr Patrick Gageby SC, noted that a doctor could not determine whether the victim was young or old due to the condition she was in.
Cooney was arrested and detained by a civilian who became suspicious after seeing him walk from where he left his victim unconscious. The victim woke up in hospital with blood all over her, loosened teeth, bruises on her body and her face swollen.
Defence counsel Anthony Sammon SC noted Cooney's problems, including dyslexia, which he said left him vulnerable. He was only 17 at the time of the crime and was heavily influenced by drink. Mr Justice Paul Carney suspended the final year of sentence.
