Courts / Dublin / Report

Man jailed for notorious aggravated burglary to face no extra jail time for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend unconscious

Date
2016-03-11

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A Dublin man, Donal O'Hara, aged 22, is serving a 12‑year sentence for an aggravated burglary in Tipperary. In November 2012 he also punched his heavily pregnant ex‑girlfriend, Réiltín Cassidy, who was 32 weeks pregnant, in the face after she had been knocked to the ground. O'Hara pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Cassidy at Ferrycarrig Drive, Coolock. He has twenty previous convictions. His counsel argued that steroid use for bodybuilding at the time may have contributed to his aggression, a point accepted by Judge Melanie Greally. The court found no evidence of alcohol abuse. O'Hara's sentence for the assault was a two‑and‑a‑half‑year term to run concurrently with his existing 12‑year sentence, meaning he will not serve additional time in prison for the assault. Ms Cassidy did not give a victim impact statement and has reportedly reconciled with O'Hara.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man jailed for notorious aggravated burglary to face no extra jail time for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend unconscious. Charges or matters: assaulting Ms Cassidy causing her harm at Ferrycarrig Drive, Coolock, on November 21, 2012; the assault. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 21, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-03-11 Publication

Case subjects

Donal O'Hara

Convicted Person

Charges: assaulting Ms Cassidy causing her harm at Ferrycarrig Drive, Coolock, on November 21, 2012; the assault (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Last year O'Hara was jailed for 12 years with seven suspended for what was described by a judge as an "evil" aggravated burglary in the home of the Corcoran family in Tipperary. She imposed a two and a half year sentence to run alongside to his 12 year sentence.