Stephen Nangle jailed for assault causing harm in Dublin

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Stephen Nangle was jailed for two years and six months, with the last 12 months suspended, and ordered to stay away from Sarah Jane McSherry for three years after his release. Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed the sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Nangle pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The offence happened at Forestwood Avenue, Ballymun, in March 2013. The proceedings were reported on 13 April 2015.

Garda Colm McElligot said Sarah Jane McSherry was home with her mother and two-year-old son that morning. The report said Nangle came to the door at 10.30am asking to see his son.

After she refused him access, he attempted to force the door open. When she went outside, he kicked her and pushed her against a wall. He then followed her indoors, pulled her hair and knocked her against furniture. A neighbour intervened and warned that gardaí were coming, prompting him to leave. An attending garda observed that hair had been torn from her head.

Defence counsel Marie Torrens BL told Judge Mary Ellen Ring that Nangle contested McSherry’s account and maintained he had acted in self-defence, while still accepting his guilt.

The report noted previous convictions for theft and criminal damage. Judge Ring said his actions showed he had failed to put his son’s interests first. She also commended the neighbour for intervening.