Courts / Cork / Report
Sentence increase for man who poured boiling sugar water over pregnant girlfriend
Summary
Michael Lynch, aged 25, was found guilty of assault causing harm to his pregnant girlfriend Tara Byrd, aged 25, after pouring boiling sugar‑water over her left leg on 27 July 2015. The assault resulted in third‑degree burns, a ten‑day hospital stay and skin graft surgery, leaving severe scarring. Lynch had previously pleaded not guilty and was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years by Judge David Riordan on 7 June 2016. He lost an appeal against the conviction, but the Director of Public Prosecutions successfully appealed the sentence, arguing it was unduly lenient. In the Court of Appeal, Justice Alan Mahon increased the sentence to five years, suspending the final twelve months on the condition of a good‑behaviour bond. The court noted the pre‑meditated, callous nature of the assault and the added gravity of sugar in the boiling water. The decision was made by Justices Mahon, Birmingham and Edwards.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sentence increase for man who poured boiling sugar water over pregnant girlfriend. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to his four-and-a-half month pregnant girlfriend Tara Byrd (25) at their house on the Old Youghal Road in Cork city on July 27, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 27, 2015 Incident
- June 7, 2016 Incident
- 2017-03-30 Publication
Why: "The fact that sugar was added to the water before it was boiled places the gravity of the offence at the very highest level" because "in reality, it amounted to torture". CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: assault causing harm to his four-and-a-half month pregnant girlfriend Tara Byrd (25) at their house on the Old Youghal Road in Cork city on July 27, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment by Judge David Riordan on June 7, 2016.
Places mentioned
Topics
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