A man who knocked a woman out and molested her after a heavy drinking session in Coolock, north Dublin has been jailed for four years.

Anthony Ryan of Belcamp Avenue in Priorswood punched his victim seven times and twice hit her head against a wall, after following her home in July 2012.

After his arrest, Mr. Ryan told gardai he did not remember a thing about the night of the attack.

He had been at a cheap drinks promotion at a nightclub in Coolock - where he drank seven pints, four vodka and redbulls, two Jagerbombs and two shots of Sambuca.

He met the victim (18) in the club and followed her home afterwards.

The court heard how he rushed towards her, hit her up to seven times in the face and knocked her out by hitting her head against a wall.

The woman told gardai she awoke to find Mr. Ryan on top of her with one hand on her chest and the other up her dress.

She said she hit her head off the wall for a second time after he pushed her away to make his escape.

Judge Carmel Stewart told Mr. Ryan that being drunk was not a defence for such a violent crime.

She said he was a "stranger who acted in a predatory manner" and jailed him for five years, with the final 12 months suspended.