A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the attempted murder of a young French student in Dublin almost two years ago.
Aleksejus Belousovas from Lithuania pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Barbara Riouall outside her apartment on 10 May 2005. He cut her throat twice and left her for dead.
In court today he apologised to his victim and said he hoped that she could forgive him.
Ms Riouall said what had happened had completely changed her life. She said her health had become frail and it was impossible for her to go out alone in the evening.
Her younger sisters and her mother had also been affected. She said she lived from day to day and it was very difficult for her to have a concept of tomorrow.
Mr Justice Barry White told Belousovas he had subjected his victim to a terrifying ordeal.
He had physically scarred and handicapped her and has emotionally scared her.
He said if it had not been for her quick thinking she would probably be dead today.
