Courts / Dublin / Report

Attacker who tried to kidnap woman (69) claimed it was 'joke that went wrong'

Date
2021-03-09

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In January 2020 a 21‑year‑old man, Martin Gallagher, grabbed a 69‑year‑old woman from behind on a Dublin street, threw her into the boot of his parked car and attempted to close the boot on her shins. The woman fought, was thrown against a wall, and sustained bruising and a head injury. Gallagher later told police it was a "joke that went wrong", claiming he had mistaken the woman for a friend named Alex and was intoxicated. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and false imprisonment. The court remanded him in custody pending sentencing. The victim, a former swimming teacher and carer, gave a victim impact statement describing lasting physical and psychological harm, including scars, nightmares and flashbacks. The case is scheduled for sentencing the following morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Attacker who tried to kidnap woman (69) claimed it was 'joke that went wrong'. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and false imprisonment at Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin on January 6, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 6, 2020 Adjournment
2021-03-09 Publication

Why: For a long time, she could not walk because of the pain in her shin bones and she had internal bruising in her chest from Gallagher trying to push her back into the boot. CNI source report

Case subjects

Martin Gallagher

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm and false imprisonment at Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin on January 6, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan said he needed time to consider the case and adjourned the case to tomorrow morning for sentence.; Judge Martin Nolan said he needed time to consider the case and adjourned the case to tomorrow morning for sentence.