The son of the mayor of Galway has been convicted of aggravated sexual assault and assault causing harm after he attacked a nurse on her way home from a night out.

24-year-old Brian Maher, son of Galway's Fine Gael Mayor Michael Maher, pleaded guilty to both charges at the Central Criminal Court today.

The court heard that Maher violently attacked the 38-year-old victim on October 16th, 2010, leaving her with severe head injuries and genital bleeding and laceration.

The woman suffered a broken nose and a fractured cheekbone; her tooth was knocked out and she briefly lost consciousness.

Maher had consumed a cocktail of drink and cocaine before the attack and told the court he had psychiatric difficulties.

He has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on the 18th of June.