Donegal businessman receives two-year sentence for sexual assault of teenager

A Donegal businessman has been jailed for two years for the sexual assault of a teenager over a decade ago. Patrick McLaughlin, 45, admitted to touching the girl when she was 15. The court heard the victim, now in her 20s, made a complaint at age 21. McLaughlin, who had consumed alcohol during the 2014 incident, pleaded guilty to one charge, with another taken into consideration. McLaughlin, from Dungloe, has no previous convictions. The judge noted the assault was a gross breach of trust but reduced the sentence due to mitigating factors, including his guilty plea and good character.