Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for man who attacked ex and threatened to release personal photos
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Christopher Lenihan, aged 28, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended, following a 2017 assault on his ex‑partner Grace Brady at the Plaza Hotel, Tallaght. Lenihan held Brady down, punched her repeatedly, grabbed her hair, and covered her mouth to silence her. He later threatened to release personal photographs of her if she did not comply. After the attack, Lenihan sent over 200 harassing texts and emails, and was arrested for harassment in January 2017. He pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing harm, and admitted further harassment between 13 and 31 January. The judge noted Lenihan showed no remorse and had limited insight into the impact of his actions. Lenihan must complete probation supervision for 18 months, offence‑focused work, and a domestic‑violence programme if suitable. He has a prior conviction for breach of a barring order in February 2016.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for man who attacked ex and threatened to release personal photos. 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
- 2018-07-30 Publication
Why: At one point during the attack, the victim couldn't breathe because Lenihan had his hands over her mouth to try to stop her screaming. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: false imprisonment of and assault causing harm to Ms Brady at the Plaza Hotel on January 13, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A man who threatened to make his ex-partner's personal photographs public after she reported his beating of her to gardaí has been jailed for two years. Judge Greally imposed a three year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on condition Lenihan undergoes 18 months probation supervision.
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