Courts / Dublin / Report

Former soldier jailed for "merciless" attack on ex-partner

Date
2016-12-22

Stage
Sentence

Court
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former soldier Jonathan McSherry (34) was jailed for a brutal assault on his ex‑partner, Jessica Bowes. McSherry, who was high on cocaine, breached a barring order and attacked Bowes at her home, repeatedly punching and kicking her until she lost consciousness twice. The attack left Bowes with fractures to her skull, eye sockets and cheekbone, permanent scarring, nerve damage and a metal plate in her face. She described the violence as "merciless" and said she feared for her life. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced McSherry to three and a half years, suspended the final year on the condition of sobriety, drug‑treatment participation and no contact with Bowes. The sentence was back‑dated to March to account for time spent in custody and treatment. McSherry had previously been remanded on bail to attend a drug‑treatment programme. Jonathan McSherry pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former soldier jailed for "merciless" attack on ex-partner. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Grange View Way, Clondalkin on December 20, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 20, 2015 Incident
2016-12-22 Publication

Case subjects

Jonathan McSherry

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm at Grange View Way, Clondalkin on December 20, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She suspended the last year of a three and a half year prison sentence on condition that he remain alcohol and free and that he attend a Probation Services group for men who engage in violence against women.; Judge Greally previously remanded McSherry on continuing bail to yesterday so he could continue his treatment at the Coolmine residential drug treatment programme.