A man who tried to kidnap a 69-year-old woman while she was out for an early morning walk near the Phoenix Park in Dublin has been jailed for six years.

Martin Gallagher - of Rusheeney Avenue, Hartstown in Dublin 15 - pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing her harm on January 6th last year.

While the woman was walking towards the Phoenix Park, Gallagher was standing at the back of his car with the boot open.

She assumed he was a tradesman preparing to go into the house he was parked outside.

When she passed him by, he grabbed her from behind and bundled her into the boot. She fought back and stuck her legs outside the car.

She still has scars on her shins from where he smashed the lid down on them while trying to close it.

When he failed to do so, he tried to shove her into the back seat - but again, she struggled before a good Samaritan came to her rescue.

Gallagher sped off but was later tracked down and Gardaí used DNA evidence to link him to the attempted abduction.

Judge Martin Nolan described what he did as "sinister". He said it must have been a "terrifying experience" for the woman, whom he commended for fighting back.

He then jailed Gallagher for six years.