A woman has told a court how her life changed drastically after a man tried to abduct her while she was out for an early morning walk near the Phoenix Park.

Martin Gallagher, of Rusheeney Avenue, Hartstown, Dublin 15, is awaiting sentence for trying to bundle the 69-year-old into the boot of his car.

In her victim impact statement, which was read out at today’s sentence hearing, Bernadette O’Connor described how her life changed on Jan 6th 2020.

She went from being happy and fit, swimming and walking regularly, to having sleepless nights and getting a fright whenever a jogger runs towards her.

On that day, Martin Gallagher bundled her into the boot of his car on Blackhorse Avenue – not far from the Phoenix Park.

He claimed it was a joke gone wrong and that he thought she was a friend of his.

Ms O’Connor fought back and he wasn’t able to close the boot because her legs were sticking out.

She screamed and kicked out when he then tried to shove her into the back seat.

A good Samaritan came to her rescue. Gallagher threw her up against a wall and sped off.

Judge Martin Nolan will sentence him tomorrow.