19-05-2025
Partner of man who died after suffering serious injuries pleads guilty to his manslaughter
The partner of a former member of the Defence Forces who died after he was found on a road with serious injuries has pleaded guilty to his manslaughter at the Dublin District Court.
James 'Shey' Ryan, 60, from Hasting Lawns, Balbriggan, and formerly East Wall was discovered on a residential road in the North Dublin town in the early hours of Saturday August 10 last year.
He was rushed to Beaumont hospital by the emergency services, where he died a day later from his injuries.
On Monday morning, his partner of 17 years and mother of his youngest child, Olesja Hertova pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.
Olesja Hertova has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her partner.
In the short hearing, Ms Hertova, 50, and originally from the Czech Republic, appeared before Judge Orla Crowe in the Courts of Criminal Justice.
The mother of two has been in custody in the Dóchas Women's centre at Mountjoy prison in North Dublin since August 16, 2024, following her arrest by gardaí.
Dressed in a green jumper with braided hair, she spoke only to confirm her guilty plea.
Her daughter whom she shared with Mr Ryan was also in court, alongside his three other children from his first marriage, as well as two of his sisters.
Ms Hertova was a carer to her late partner, who had Parkinson's disease as well as COPD — a breathing condition.
The couple had been living together with their daughter in Balbriggan at the time of his death. Mr Ryan's wife died in January 2011.
Sentencing in the case will take place on July 3.
