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'Feet coming down on me like Riverdance' - woman in fear after 'savage' assaults
Summary
Kim Kelly, aged 54, was beaten by her partner Ian McCluskey in his home after she refused to lend him money. Six weeks later, McCluskey and his friend David Corr attacked her again, with Corr calling her a "rat". Kelly described being knocked to the ground, struck in the face, and repeatedly kicked and punched. She feared the men would kill her and that they might throw her out of a window. Kelly has suffered black eyes, facial cuts, bruises, and Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder, and now sleeps with an axe beside her bed. McCluskey pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, threatening to kill, witness intimidation and a second assault. Corr pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, threatening to kill and witness intimidation. Judge Dara Hayes sentenced McCluskey to five years with the final 12 months suspended, and Corr to three years with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Feet coming down on me like Riverdance' - woman in fear after 'savage' assaults. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Ms Kelly at his home on January 26, 2022; assault causing Ms Kelly harm, threatening to kill or cause her harm and intimidation of a witness on March 1, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 26, 2022 Incident
- March 1, 2022 Incident
- February 2, 2022 Incident
- May 2022 Incident
- 2022-12-21 Publication
Why: Judge Dara Hayes said that although McCluskey was not on bail when he assaulted Ms Kelly the second time, he deserved a consecutive sentence because the second offence involved intimidating her in relation to the first attack. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to Ms Kelly at his home on January 26, 2022; assault causing Ms Kelly harm, threatening to kill or cause her harm and intimidation of a witness on March 1, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Hayes imposed a sentence of three years on Corr with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions.; Judge Hayes had adjourned the case overnight having heard evidence yesterday.
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to Ms Kelly at his home on January 26, 2022; assault causing Ms Kelly harm, threatening to kill or cause her harm and intimidation of a witness on March 1, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Dara Hayes said that although McCluskey was not on bail when he assaulted Ms Kelly the second time, he deserved a consecutive sentence because the second offence involved intimidating her in relation to the first attack. He sentenced McCluskey to consecutive sentences totaling five years and suspended the final 12 months in an attempt to encourage him to rehabilitate.; Judge Hayes had adjourned the case overnight having heard evidence yesterday.
Places mentioned
- Shangan Road
- Ballymun
- Kelly sitting outside Ballymun Garda Station
- Ballymun
- again came to the garda station
- her way to the garda station
Topics
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