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"You deserve a better future": no jail for woman who attacked colleague and stood on her mouth
Summary
Ann Byrne, aged 34, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and attempted robbery after attacking a female colleague on Burlington Road on 25 August 2015. Byrne kicked the victim in the head, stood on her mouth when she screamed, and left a footprint on the victim's head. Garda John Cahill reported finding the victim in a distressed state with blood on her face and a swollen lip, cheekbone and eye. Byrne initially denied the assault, gave a false name, and claimed she was tipsy, but later admitted the offence. She has 17 prior convictions, including theft and traffic offences. The court heard she has a young child and wishes to improve her future. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, noting the assault was violent and unprovoked, and that the victim's medical report showed serious impact. The sentence was suspended on conditions intended to encourage Byrne to build a better future.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "You deserve a better future": no jail for woman who attacked colleague and stood on her mouth. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm and one count of attempted robbery of the woman in Dublin city centre on August 25, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 25, 2015 Incident
- 2017-10-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of assault causing harm and one count of attempted robbery of the woman in Dublin city centre on August 25, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Handing down a suspended 18-month sentence today, Judge Karen O'Connor said it was a "violent and unprovoked assault". She suspended the sentence on a number of conditions, telling Byrne: "It's an incentive to improve your future" and told her "you deserve a better future".
Places mentioned
- St Donagh's Road
- Dublin
- Dublin city
- In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Burlington Road
Topics
Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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