Courts / Dublin / Report
No jail for man who beat up and threatened to kill partner in "terrifying ordeal"
Summary
Eddie Farnan, 37, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, threatening to kill Lisa Power and criminal damage on 2 June 2017. He dragged her by the hair, swung her, threw her across a room, and placed his hands around her throat. The attack ended when he began hitting himself in the face and Power grabbed her baby and fled. A medical report found bruising on her neck and whiplash. Power still suffers daily headaches, nightmares and panic attacks. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a suspended sentence of two years and nine months, suspended entirely on conditions. She noted Farnan had no prior violence history and had made significant rehabilitation efforts. The judge warned that any future violence would trigger the full custodial term. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No jail for man who beat up and threatened to kill partner in "terrifying ordeal". Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm to his then partner Lisa Power at the same address on June 2, 2017; threatening to kill or seriously harm Ms Power and to criminal damage on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2, 2017 Incident
- 2019-10-18 Publication
Why: The court heard on the day before the attack, Farnan became jealous because he believed the victim was seeing someone else. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of assault causing harm to his then partner Lisa Power at the same address on June 2, 2017; threatening to kill or seriously harm Ms Power and to criminal damage on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a sentence of two years and nine months and suspended it entirely on a number of conditions. "Had there been any violence in his background, I would have imposed a custodial sentence," the judge said, before addressing Farnan directly. "If you come before me again, you will serve the full sentence. If this woman is approached by you and you behave in an aggressive or unacceptable manner ever again, or during the probation period, you will spend this time in custody. "I can't stress how close you came to getting a custodial sentence." Judge O'Connor said Farnan subjected Ms Power to a "terrifying ordeal" in front of their young child. "He terrified this woman and in addition to that, he caused injuries," she said, noting Ms Power suffered a "whiplash type injury" to her neck and was traumatised after the assault.
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