A man who attempted to abduct a little girl from a country lane in County Laois in March has been sentenced to 17 years in prison with the final four suspended.
Michael Martin (36), of Shandon Court, Yellow Road, Waterford city, had managed to put the 11-year-old girl into his SUV when her quick thinking younger brother reached in and attempted to strike him, hanging on to the door of the vehicle as it moved. The distraction was enough for the boy's sister to make her escape.
During sentencing, Judge Keenan Johnson said that a forensic psychological report on the accused, who has 92 previous convictions, including false imprisonment, assault of a girl and threatening to kill a woman, as well as fraud and robbery, "makes for disturbing reading".
"If I had the option, I would impose a life sentence, not so much to punish the accused, but rather to protect society." he said.
The family, who said their twin boys and little girl had their innocence stolen from them during the incident at Cullohill, Co Laois, have since moved to the United States.
The judge ordered that Martin is fully assessed before he is released.
