Courts / Dublin / Report

Coercive control at hands of man who threatened he'd 'kick baby out of' partner 'like torture', court hears

Date
2022-11-29

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Ballymun

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a woman, protected under the 2018 Domestic Violence Act, recounted how her partner, Daniel Lynch (25), exercised coercive control from September 2020 to January 2022. Lynch accessed her mobile phone and social media, took her money each Monday, and verbally abused her, claiming no one loved her and hoping she would miscarry their unborn child. He threatened to kill her in a January 2022 WhatsApp voice message, breaching a prior protection order. Earlier, in September 2021, he allegedly threatened to "kick the baby out of her" and struck her with a broom handle. The victim described isolation, loss of self-worth, and drug use, including cocaine supplied by Lynch. Lynch pleaded guilty to coercive control and a threat to kill, with sentencing deferred to February. The court noted the victim's bravery and the impact of her statement.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Coercive control at hands of man who threatened he'd 'kick baby out of' partner 'like torture', court hears. Charges or matters: coercive control of the woman on dates between September 19, 2020 and January 15, 2022. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When: