Courts / Dublin / Report
Man beat partner and threatened to make personal photos public
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Christopher Lenihan, aged 28, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing harm after beating his ex‑partner Grace Brady at the Plaza Hotel, Tallaght, on 13 January 2017. Lenihan held Brady down, punched her repeatedly, grabbed her hair, and bit her arm, preventing her from breathing. He later sent over 200 harassing texts, threatening to release personal photographs if she did not comply. Brady reported the attack to Gardaí, who arrested Lenihan at his home on 31 January. Lenihan also admitted harassing Brady between 13 and 31 January. He has a prior conviction for breach of a barring order. The judge adjourned the case to July, noting Lenihan's alcohol abuse and high risk of re‑offending, and indicated a likely prison sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man beat partner and threatened to make personal photos public. Charges or matters: false imprisonment of and assault causing harm to Ms Brady at the Plaza Hotel on January 13, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 13, 2017 Incident
- January 31 Incident
- January 13 Incident
- January 31, 2017 Incident
- February 2016 Incident
- January 2017 Incident
- 2018-06-07 Publication
Why: At one point during the attack, the victim couldn't breath because Lenihan had his hands over her mouth to try to stop her screaming. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: false imprisonment of and assault causing harm to Ms Brady at the Plaza Hotel on January 13, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally said that Lenihan was undoubtedly facing a prison sentence.; She adjourned the matter to July in order for the defence to show how he intends to address his drinking and "propensity for violence".
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Haulier who wrote bad cheques for green diesel avoids jail
- Golf club official's testimony 'somewhat undermined' by attempt to swear religious oath on diary, tribunal finds
- Perjury warning for golf club secretary after attempt to swear oath without Bible
- Thief with 133 priors has jail sentence for electric cable theft overturned
- 'Promising young cricketer' avoids jail after being caught with cannabis at home
- Promising young cricketer caught with cannabis at home
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request