Woman arrived at garda station ‘covered in blood’ after prolonged assault in tent at Louth park
A homeless man who repeatedly punched and kicked a woman he shared a tent with has been jailed for three years.
Dundalk Circuit Court heard that the victim counted 46 kicks and punches during her 15-minute ordeal in St Dominic’s Park, Drogheda before making her way to the local garda station “covered in blood”.
Jakub Rybar (25), of no fixed abode, had signed a guilty plea to a charge of assault causing harm and appeared via video link for sentencing.
He had moved to the Drogheda area just four months before the incident having grown up in Athlone. An Irish national, he was born in Holland to refugees and came to Ireland at a young age.
The woman he attacked said that she continued to suffer with PTSD and depression.
Gda Matthew Kerr testified said that the couple, both homeless, were in a relationship and sharing a tent in St. Dominic’s Park, Rathmullen.
On the night of August 6 last they had an argument. She could only remember the defendant lashing out. He thumped and kicked her while holding her down. She couldn’t move and was too scared to shout for help.
Mr Rybar punched her on the face and kicked her back. She counted 46 kicks and punches over approximately 15 minutes.
After running from the tent she made her way to Drogheda Garda Station, arriving around midnight, covered in blood, Gda Kerr continued. She was “scared for her life” and in shock.
Her face was swollen and a cut under her left eye was bleeding profusely.
She was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital where the cut was stitched.
The following day the accused tried to run away when Gda Kerr came to arrest him. The officer chased after and stopped him. His clothing had blood on it.
He told investigators that his knuckles were red because he had bad circulation. He denied any involvement when the complaint was put to him. He expressed annoyance at himself.
There was one previous conviction for Section 3 possession of drugs for which he was fined €250.
The woman, who was not present in court, said in a Victim Impact Statement that she had PTSD and became depressed. She was suffering badly since and afraid to go to Drogheda.
She didn’t want to see the man again.
Judge Dara Hayes heard that Jakub Rybar has been living in Ireland since 2002. He had been in the Drogheda area since the previous April and was homeless at the time having been evicted. He was on social welfare.
Barrister Stephen Faulkner said that his client had instructed to apologise.
He had no contact with the lady since. What occurred brought an end to their relationship.
A probation officer reported a lack of insight and remorse, but Mr Rybar instructed that he was not trying to minimise what happened.
The second youngest of four children, and father of a daughter, he was raised by both parents in Athlone.
He had to leave the country for a time over debts. He previously worked in hospitality.
Judge Hayes pointed out that a probation report said the defendant was “motivated by control” and demonstrated significant disregard for the safety and wellbeing of his victim.
In custody since the day after the incident, he picked up 5 discilpinary reports in prison.
A 4-year, 3-month sentence was imposed, backdated to August 7, 2025, and the final 15 months suspended for two years.