This article is from page 20 of the 2009-05-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
A MAN in his 50s has been convict- ed of sexually assaulting a woman in a car in Shannon.
Gerry Shanahan (55), of Foyle Park, Shannon denied sexually assaulting the woman on April 26, 2008.
The woman, in her 40s, told En- nis District Court that the incident happened in a car outside a hotel in Shannon.
‘Mr Shanahan physically assaulted me. He rammed his hand between my two legs with force. He hit the pelvic bone with force,” she said.
However, defending solicitor Wil-
liam Cahir put it to the witness that his client did not intentionally physi- cally assault her.
“He did not intend in any way to sexually assault you on the night. He cannot recall the night in question,” said the solicitor.
However the witness replied, “With the force, a woman does not forget. It was not unintentional. He invaded my privacy with what he did and I’m not letting that go.”
Garda Caitriona Mangan told the court that the complainant was agitated and angry when gardai arrived at the scene. She said the accused told gardai he didn’t remember any incident.
Mr Shanahan told the court he had no recollection of the night in ques- tion. Asked about the allegations, he said, “I didn’t believe a word of them. |e ToleMamndevbel qnelentanr(o)com sulla
Under cross-examination from Inspector Tom Kennedy, prosecut- ing, the accused denied that he had committed an offence. “I know well I didn’t do it,” he said.
Judge Eamon O’Brien said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the offence occurred and con- victed the accused. “It’s an unfortu- nate case,’ he said. He adjourned the case for two months, for preparation of a probation report.