Courts / Dublin / Report

'I'll rip her out of you': violent offender ended life of his unborn child and tried to murder partner

Date
2023-01-30
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Dean Paget, 36, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his former partner Lisa Ward, who was 32 weeks pregnant, and to intentionally ending the life of their unborn child. At the Central Criminal Court, CCTV footage showed Paget repeatedly kicking and punching Ward as they walked along Dame Street toward a tent on Montague Lane on 25 April 2021. He shouted, "I'll rip her out of you," and later called the unborn child a "bastard." Ward, aged 32, was taken to the Rotunda Hospital in a distraught state; medical tests found no fetal heartbeat and a placental abruption likely caused by the assault. Paget's 68 prior convictions include robbery, violent behaviour and drug offences. He expressed remorse during the hearing, apologised to Ward, and was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 7 February. Ward's statement described the lasting emotional pain and her loss of hope for a child.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I'll rip her out of you': violent offender ended life of his unborn child and tried to murder partner. Charges or matters: attempting to murder his former partner Lisa Ward; the attempted murder of Ms Ward on April 25, 2021 at Montague Lane in Dublin City Centre. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Counsel said Paget left the court during the showing of the CCTV footage because he "cannot bear to recollect what he did. CNI source report

Case subjects

Dean Paget

Defendant

Charges: attempting to murder his former partner Lisa Ward; the attempted murder of Ms Ward on April 25, 2021 at Montague Lane in Dublin City Centre (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He doesn't shy away from it, he accepts it and he entered a plea but what he did is a source of extraordinary regret to him." He had written an apology in which he said that he takes full responsibility and apologised to Ms Ward. "I know her hurt and pain is all my fault," he said, and that nothing will change what he has done and he will accept whatever sentence the court hands down.; Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing until February 7.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Journey Or Route
  • Dame Street
  • Montague Lane
  • Dublin
Incident
  • Montague Lane
Secondary Mention
Facility
  • Rotunda hospital
Address Area
  • Dame Street
  • Dame Lane
  • Montague Lane

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report

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