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Violent criminal tried to intimidate ex-girlfriend to withdraw assault complaint
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 35‑year‑old Gareth McGrath pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on two occasions (29 July and 8 August 2023) and to threatening to kill a former girlfriend and intimidating her to withdraw a Garda complaint between 14 and 23 August 2023. McGrath, who has 15 prior convictions, was present for sentencing via video link from prison. The victim, who met McGrath during residential addiction treatment, described a brief relationship that turned violent. She reported being punched, thrown to the ground, and cut on the breast with a butter knife, sustaining head injuries, a bruised ear, a hearing deficit, a forehead bump and a chest puncture. She said McGrath pressured her to retract her complaint, but she ultimately maintained her statement. The judge adjourned sentencing to early next year to allow a probation report to be prepared.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Violent criminal tried to intimidate ex-girlfriend to withdraw assault complaint. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to the woman on two dates on July 29 and August 8, 2023; threatening to kill her on August 8, 2023 and intimating a person assisting An Garda Síochána in the investigation of an offence between August 14 and 23, 2023. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- July 29 Incident
- August 8, 2023 Incident
- August 14 Incident
- July 29, 2023 Adjournment
- 2024-11-29 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to the woman on two dates on July 29 and August 8, 2023; threatening to kill her on August 8, 2023 and intimating a person assisting An Garda Síochána in the investigation of an offence between August 14 and 23, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She suffered flashbacks and other psychological effects. "I hope I never have to cross paths with him again," she said, "I am terrified of Gareth." Judge Pauline Codd adjourned sentencing until early next year to allow a probation report be prepared.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Kilmartin Drive
- Tallaght
- She presented at the garda station
Topics
Stage Hearing Or Decision Violent Crime
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