Courts / Dublin / Report
Man avoids jail for violent attack on ex after court hears he is now sole carer for children
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 29‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after attacking his former partner and her 15‑year‑old brother. The assault took place at the woman's home in November 2020, when the man, who had a barring order, forced entry, choked the pregnant woman, punched her, and threatened to kick her unborn child out. The victim's brother was also struck. The woman escaped through a window and reported the incident. The court noted that neither she nor her brother gave a victim impact statement and that the child has since been safely delivered. The man has ten prior convictions. He is now the sole carer of the children, who would enter State care if he were imprisoned. The judge, after considering the children's welfare, imposed a two‑year prison sentence suspended in full on strict conditions, citing the seriousness of the assault but the need to protect the children.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man avoids jail for violent attack on ex after court hears he is now sole carer for children. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm to his former partner at her home in November 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2020 Incident
- 2025-02-11 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of assault causing harm to his former partner at her home in November 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A man has been given a suspended sentence for attacking his ex-partner and her 15-year-old brother before threatening to "kick her unborn baby out of her", after a court heard he is now the sole carer for their children, who would have to go into State care if he was imprisoned. He said "notwithstanding the assault was serious and the facts were grim", he had decided not to impose a custodial sentence before sentencing the man to two years in prison, suspended in full on strict conditions.; Judge Nolan said that the only hesitation he would have in sending the man to prison was that he was the sole carer of the children. "I know he has challenges, but there's no excuse for choking her and beating her," he said. "In this case I have to think about the children as well." Judge Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider it.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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