Courts / Dublin / Report

Victim's Christian views sees ex avoid jail for breaking into her home, attacking her and dog

Date
2023-01-18

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Keith O'Reilly, 31, of County Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed in May 2022. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault, criminal damage, and production of a realistic firearm at Harold's Cross, Dublin. The court heard that O'Reilly broke into the home of his wheelchair-bound ex-girlfriend, assaulted her, and threw her dog onto the road. Gardaí discovered an imitation firearm in his rucksack upon his arrest. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a three-year term of imprisonment on full strict conditions. The judge noted that O'Reilly had no previous convictions and was remorseful, though somewhat intoxicated at the time. Crucially, the judge cited a letter from the victim, who requested he not be imprisoned due to his past good behaviour and her belief in second chances. Judge Nolan stated that it was only because of the woman's Christian views that O'Reilly avoided immediate custody. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Victim's Christian views sees ex avoid jail for breaking into her home, attacking her and dog. Charges or matters: one count of assault, criminal damage and production of a realistic firearm at Harolds Cross, Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 2022 Incident
May 25 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-01-18 Publication

Why: "You should be ashamed of yourself," Judge Martin Nolan told Keith O'Reilly today, before he added that it was only because of the woman's Christian views that the defendant was not going to prison. CNI source report