My life has changed since vile assault on Luas..I feel disgusted & violated

A DISTRAUGHT woman told yesterday how she felt "disgusted and violated" by a vile sex attack ordeal on a crowded tram and said: "My life has changed completely since that day.

- BY TOM TUITE

Security guard Abdiweli Ali, 24, was jailed for eight months for the assault on on the Luas on June 10 last year - when he stood behind his victim and soiled her dress with semen.

Dublin District Court heard it happened as the woman and her friend travelled to the 3Arena for a Smashing Pumpkins concert.

Describing it as an "appalling offence", Judge Grainne Malone stated she had to ensure women could travel safely on public transport without being violated in this way, and there had to be a deterrent.

Ali, from Somalia, came to Ireland in 2020, claiming he fled from terrorist groups.

He denied the allegation for a year and changed his plea shortly before his trial was due to start.

Garda Colm Maguire played CCTV footage and described how Ali and the victim, in her late 20s, boarded the tram at the Bus Aras Luas stop at 7.20pm. It was jam-packed, and Ali stood behind her for the eight-minute trip. He said: "At one point during the journey, the injured party felt something wet on the back of her leg but didn't have enough room to check what it actually was while on the Luas.