Courts / Dublin / Report
Love-heart emoji sparked man's assault on wife, court hears
Summary
A man in his 50s, unnamed for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to a Section 3 offence under the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act after assaulting his wife at a hotel. He struck her arm repeatedly, held her down on the bed and briefly placed a pillow over her face, but caused no serious injuries. The court noted aggravating factors such as the intimate relationship, the victim's vulnerability, the use of a pillow as a weapon, and alleged threats of serious harm. Mitigating factors included the defendant's impulsive reaction to a suspected affair, lack of prior convictions, early guilty plea, completion of the MOVE programme, and no subsequent Garda attention. Judge William Aylmer sentenced him to seven months' custody, fully suspended for 12 months, with probation supervision and a bond, while recognising the couple's ongoing efforts to resolve their difficulties. The wife does not currently hold a protection order.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Love-heart emoji sparked man's assault on wife, court hears. Charges or matters: and completed the MOVE (Men Overcoming Violence) programme. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 17 June Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-06-12 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: and completed the MOVE (Men Overcoming Violence) programme (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A man who attacked his wife and put a pillow over her face after he saw a love-heart emoji on her phone has been given a fully suspended sentence at Tallaght District Court. He imposed a seven-month custodial sentence, suspended in full for 12 months, on condition that the defendant remains under probation supervision during that period and does not come to Garda attention.; The case had been adjourned in March for a probation report, which Judge William Aylmer said he had considered.
Places mentioned
- Tallaght
- Tallaght District Court
Topics
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