Man jailed for five years for attack on sex worker in Athlone

A man who attacked a sex worker in Athlone and threatened to “cut her neck” while brandishing a knife has been jailed for five years.

Dylan McMahon (30), with an address of Kilpatrick, Kildangan, Monasterevin, Co Kildare, appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Mullingar Circuit Court on Tuesday last, where he was sentenced for assault causing harm and robbery.

Those charges took place on March 26, 2019, at a house in Athlone, where the injured party had been working as an escort to support her family. She had only been in Ireland for four weeks at the time, and was only in Athlone for one day when Mr McMahon attacked her. She has since left the country.

On the date in question, Mr McMahon had made an appointment with her and attacked her while attending that appointment, threatening to cut her with a knife.

Judge Johnson noted that the accused hit her and demanded she perform oral sex, but she sprayed him with pepper spray. He continued to assault her even though he couldn’t see and proceeded to take €500 from her, as well as a gold watch from her wrist, valued at €105.

The woman was discovered shortly afterwards by Gardaí on the street, running while wearing a dressing gown. When Gardaí stopped her, she threw up and used a translator app to inform Gardaí that she had been attacked.

Judge Johnson noted that Mr McMahon had gone to the escort for comfort and solace after breaking up with his girlfriend.

The assault left the injured party with facial and body injuries and feeling humiliated. In her victim impact statement, she said she still finds it difficult to sleep.

Judge Johnson noted that Mr McMahon has 33 previous convictions and is of high risk of reoffending given his addiction issues. He is currently in custody serving a three-year sentence for criminal damage.

He noted the accused suffered an acquired brain injury almost ten years ago and suffered from severe anxiety and instability, made worse by drug and alcohol abuse.

For the robbery, he proceeded to impose a sentence of six years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended for a period of three years on a number of conditions, including that he submit himself to the supervision of the probation service and that he refrain from the consumption of drugs or alcohol upon his release.

A three-year concurrent sentence was imposed for the assault.