A serving garda sergeant has been sentenced to five months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin almost three years ago.

Cathal Middleton with an address at Fforster Square in Lucan was convicted in the district court of a sexual assault in west Dublin on 2 March 2020.

The assault took place at a house following a social event two years after he was promoted from garda to sergeant.

The 42-year-old was sentenced today by Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court.

The judge directed the sergeant who is on suspension also be placed on the sex offenders' register for seven years.

The garda who is currently on suspension immediately lodged an appeal and is currently on bail.

In a statement this evening, the Garda Press Office confirmed a male garda serving in the Dublin region was suspended from duty in June 2020 in connection with an investigation into an alleged sexual assault.

It also said it does not comment on matters before the courts or on internal disciplinary matters related to named individuals.