Man jailed for sexual assault for release tomorrow after six months

SEXUAL ASSAULT CONVICTION: A man convicted of a sexual assault on a woman in a high- profile case just over two years ago is…

SEXUAL ASSAULT CONVICTION:A man convicted of a sexual assault on a woman in a high- profile case just over two years ago is due for release from prison tomorrow, just days before an appeal by the DPP against the leniency of his sentence is due before the courts.

If the DPP wins its case and the sentence is lengthened, Anthony Lyons would be returned to prison.

Lyons (52), a father of four from Griffith Avenue, Dublin, who owns an aircraft leasing company, has now served the six-month sentence the DPP had argued was too lenient.

He was jailed at the end of July for sexually assaulting a young woman on Griffith Avenue two years ago having followed her home from a pub.

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He pleaded not guilty and claimed medication he was on had led to his actions. He had been given a six-year sentence by Judge Desmond Hogan, but 5½ years of it was suspended and he was ordered to pay his victim €75,000.

The heavy schedule of the Court of Criminal Appeal did not allow for the DPP’s appeal of the sentence to be heard before now. The case is due for mention in court again next Tuesday.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times