A soldier who sexually assaulted a student at a seaside resort was jailed yesterday.
Adrian Gallagher, who was based at Finner Camp and served on a number of overseas missions, was given a 12-month sentence at Donegal Circuit Court, with six months suspended. His victim, who cannot be named on court order, is in her 20s.
Judge John O’Hagan said Gallagher (32), Dartry View, Kinlough, Co Leitrim, followed the woman from a nightclub in Bundoran in October 2009 and subjected her to a horrendous ordeal. The court heard he dragged her to the ground, punched her in the face and put his hand between her legs.
In a victim impact statement, the woman, now a student, said that for seven months after the attack she did not leave her house.
Gallagher admitted the sex assault and at a previous hearing apologised to his victim.