PAUL MCQUILLAN RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE IN DROGHEDA FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON DRUNK 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In July 2012, a 44-year-old man from Drogheda, County Louth, Paul McQuillan of Lawrences Park, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to a three-year suspended sentence for sexually assaulting an extremely intoxicated 16-year-old girl on a housing estate.

McQuillan had pleaded guilty on his trial date to the sexual assault that occurred on November 5, 2007. He has no prior convictions.

Garda Tracey Brennan informed prosecutor Conor Devally SC that Gardaí were called to the scene after two women walking their dog observed a young girl with her trousers around her ankles and McQuillan nearby.

When Gardaí arrived, they found the girl partially clothed, heavily intoxicated to the point where she could not provide her name or be aware of her environment.

Gda Brennan stated that McQuillan was aggressive towards Gardaí and was arrested for a public order offence. He later claimed he believed the girl was 18.

McQuillan acknowledged that he had met the girl earlier that evening in a pub and had kissed her there. He explained she was ejected because she vomited from intoxication.

In interview, McQuillan admitted to fondling her but insisted he thought she was a willing participant, believing she was 18.

Garda Brennan noted that McQuillan accepted the girl’s high level of intoxication meant she could not legally consent to any sexual activity, although he maintained she told him she was 18.

The victim provided a statement indicating she is still trying to remember the night, as she has no concrete recollection. She was placed into care again after the incident and felt she had been punished for what happened.

She described herself as “a drunk 16-year-old girl who was taken advantage of by a 40-year-old man who should have known better,” according to her victim impact report.

Judge Garrett Sheehan highlighted that factors favoring McQuillan were his guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, early expression of remorse, and his previous good character.

He acknowledged the exceptional circumstances of the case that allowed him to suspend the three-year sentence.

Defence counsel Jonathan Kilfeather SC explained that McQuillan had been assessed as having a low IQ and had suffered brain injury following a fall down stairs while intoxicated, which has affected his memory since.