A man was sentenced yesterday to two years' jail at Kilkenny Circuit Court for sexual assault. Philip Heaphy (44), with an address at Barna via Thurles, pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a girl on a date between July 1st, 1993 and July 31st, 1993.
Sgt Gerry Nohilly, from Mullingar, told Kilkenny Circuit Court that the incident occurred on the last night of a holiday camp in Kilkenny, at which Heaphy was in charge.
The following day he apologised to the girl, who was 16 at the time, and has not seen her since.
Sgt Nohilly said the victim's eating, sleeping and education had been affected. She is still traumatised by the incident, he said.
The court was told that Heaphy was married with four children but is now separated and in a stable relationship with his partner who is expecting their third child.
Mr John Piert, defending, said Heaphy spent two weeks in jail and found it alarming. Giving evidence, Mr Johnny Heaphy, Heaphy's brother, said the accused would not be able to cope if he returned to jail. In sentencing Heaphy, Judge Olive Buttimer said she would take into account that the accused apologised, recognised the shame, made a frank and honest statement to gardai, was of good character before the incident and that the incident was isolated and not premeditated.
However, she said that Heaphy forced himself on the 16-year-old victim and his actions had done serious damage to her.
She sentenced him to two years' jail and said she would review the sentence in the autumn.