Courts / Ireland / Report

Defendant asks judge for more time in prison

Date
2025-10-10
Stage
Appeal

Summary

A man convicted of breaching a safety order under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 has requested that the District Court of Appeals extend his custodial sentence to allow him to complete prison courses. He was originally sentenced to ten months in custody, the maximum for the offence being twelve months, and has appealed that sentence. The defendant, whose name cannot be disclosed, has 56 prior convictions, including assault and criminal damage. His solicitor, Paddy McGarry, described the request as an "unusual application" and said the client feels prison is a safer environment and wants to "keep his head down" while rehabilitating. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan acknowledged the appeal, noted the mitigating circumstance of an early guilty plea, and postponed a final decision until a psychological report is available, setting a new deadline of 1 December.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Defendant asks judge for more time in prison. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, asked the District Court of Appeals judge to extend his time in custody in order to complete courses while in prison. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed appellant

Appellant

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was convicted and sentenced to ten months in custody before later lodging an appeal against his sentence.; Judge O'Sullivan decided to put the matter back for finalisation until December 1, in order for a psychologist's report to be made.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • District Court Appeals Court

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report

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