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Offender with history of violence against women is jailed for knife attack on then girlfriend
Summary
Gareth McGrath, 35, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for a series of violent offences against his then‑girlfriend. The court heard that the couple met while attending residential addiction treatment and that their relationship quickly turned violent. McGrath pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 29 July and 8 August 2023, to threatening to kill her on 8 August 2023, and to intimidating a person assisting Gardaí in the investigation of an offence in August 2023. He had 15 previous convictions. The victim's impact statement described repeated unprovoked assaults, a forced attempt to withdraw her Garda complaint while she was in hospital, and lasting psychological effects. Judge Pauline Codd noted McGrath's history of violence and intimidation, commended the victim's resilience, and imposed a concurrent sentence of five and a half years with the final year suspended, subject to conditions including no contact with the victim and engagement with services.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Offender with history of violence against women is jailed for knife attack on then girlfriend. 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 intimidating a person assisting An Garda Síochána in the investigation of an offence on dates in August 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 29 Incident
- August 8, 2023 Incident
- August 2023 Incident
- July 29, 2023 Other
- 2025-02-10 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 intimidating a person assisting An Garda Síochána in the investigation of an offence on dates in August 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Codd imposed concurrent sentences of five and a half years and suspended the final year on conditions including that McGrath engage with appropriate services, refrain from drug and alcohol use, have no contact with the injured party and disclose any change in intimate partner relationships.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Kilmartin Drive
- Tallaght
- She presented at the garda station
Topics
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