A man who attacked three women in Clondalkin has been jailed for eighteen and a half years.
The attacks - carried out in 2011, 2015 and 2016 - were described as “brutal and primal”.
The man, who can't be identified at this point for legal reasons, approached the first woman from behind and used a belt and masking tape to restrain her before sexually assaulting her.
He sexually assaulted his second victim four years later after holding a knife to her throat.
The third woman, who was targeted in 2016, fought back and suffered a serious injury to her hand when she grabbed the blade of the hunting knife he pulled on her.
Inquiries into the presence of a white van in the area led Gardaí to identify the man as a suspect and he was linked to the attacks through DNA evidence.
In handing down the lengthy sentence today, Judge Pauline Codd noted the extreme violence used and the fact it escalated with each attack. She said society and women had to be protected and commended the women and the people of the affected community for their help in bringing the man to justice.
