A former RTÉ journalist has been jailed for fifteen months for sexually assaulting a woman who went home with him after a night out in Dublin.

Micheál O’Lidheain, from Ballinskelligs in County Kerry, was found to have sexually assaulted the woman while she was sleeping.

At his sentence hearing, the woman told the court the assault left her traumatised and feeling lost in the world.

She described how he had taken advantage of her when she was at her most vulnerable.

His trial heard they met in the beer garden of a Dublin pub four years ago.

He invited her back to his and there was some consensual sexual activity but she told him she didn’t want to have sex with him.

She went to sleep soon afterwards.

She gave evidence of waking up in his bed to find him on top of her. She told the jurors he was groping her – something she didn’t consent to.

Micheál O’Lidheain, who used to work as a political reporter on Raidió na Gaeltachta, was handed an 18-month prison sentence with the final three months suspended.

His barrister had asked the judge to consider a non-custodial sentence but she felt the offence merited some time in jail.

If you are or anyone you know has been impacted by any of the issues discussed in this article, you can contact the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800 77 8888.