Courts / Donegal / Report

Convicted rapist jailed for punching former girlfriend

Summary

Martin O'Hara, a 31-year-old defendant with a previous conviction for rape, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting his former girlfriend in Tallaght on July 28, 2016. O'Hara pleaded guilty to the charge of assaulting the woman causing her harm. Judge Karen O'Connor described the incident as violent and aggressive behaviour that occurred in the presence of the couple's six-month-old baby. The judge noted that while the physical effects were at the lower end of the scale, the victim suffered psychological trauma. O'Connor acknowledged O'Hara's remorse and recent efforts at rehabilitation and counselling. The court imposed a 12-month prison term. Prosecution evidence detailed that O'Hara punched the woman after an argument, subsequently left with the baby without her consent, and assaulted her sister and partner while they attempted to retrieve the child. The baby was returned uninjured. Defence counsel highlighted O'Hara's history of anger issues and drug abuse, noting he had taken steps towards rehabilitation for the first time. The judge considered his guilty plea and remorse when determining the sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Convicted rapist jailed for punching former girlfriend. Charges or matters: assaulting the woman causing her harm in Tallaght on July 28, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 28, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-04-27 Publication

Why: The woman said she had been scared because her child was taken without her consent and she now attends a domestic violence counselling service. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Court upholds former Defence Force member's conviction for raping fellow soldier
• Lawyers 'concerned' over wait for evidence 20 years on from Denis Donaldson murder
• Ex-garda seeks allowance for services to Irish-language communities
• Sliabh Liag murderers appeal convictions
• Six years for Algerian national who carried out 'violent predatory' sex attack
• 'Shame on you' - rapist refuses to accept jury verdict

Read the original CNI report