A SCHOOLGIRL has nightmares in which she imagines the man who sexually attacked her is passing through her bedroom, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told when her attacker was jailed for three years.
David Dunbar (40), of Patrick Doyle Road, Milltown, Dublin, was unaware it was the same girl he attacked twice within weeks in a park until he was arrested.
Garda Ultan Sherlock said the girl did not report the first incident which happened in October 1995 at about 11 p.m. while she was coming home from a school function. But she did report the second incident which happened at about 5 p.m. on November 2nd, 1995, and was able to identify Dunbar from Garda photographs. He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the girl on both occasions.
The victim impact report noted the girl had suffered severe psychological effects. She had to leave her bedroom as a result of nightmares in which she imagines Dunbar passing through her room and now sleeps on the floor of her parents' bedroom. Her education had also been interrupted.
Garda Sherlock told Mr Shane Murphy, prosecuting, that on the first occasion, Dunbar put one arm around her neck and felt her body with his other hand while trying to kiss her. She screamed and ran home. Dunbar lifted up the girl's skirt on the second occasion and made a comment while masturbating. Dunbar was known to the gardai since about 1980 for his improper behaviour. He had previous convictions.
Judge Cyril Kelly said the maximum sentence the court could impose was five years. In following the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeal, he had to allow for the guilty plea.