15-05-2025
Man (23) charged with assaulting his ex-partner in Co Sligo
Mark Sweeney, Tonglee Grove, Edenmore, Dublin was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Connolly Park, Tubbercurry on March 28 2025.
He was also charged with damaging property, to wit, a rear window of a white Skoda belonging to Mary Neary at Connolly Park.
He was also charged with assaulting Rachel Neary on March 29 2025 at Connolly Park.
He was also charged with damaging property, to wit, a black iPhone belonging Rachel Neary at the same address.
He was also charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Connolly Park on March 29 2025.
He was also charged with assaulting Mary Neary at Connolly Park on the same date.
Defending solicitor, Mr Tom MacSharry said his client was pleading guilty.
Sergeant Derek Butler said that Gda Kelly was called to Connolly Park at 8:12pm on March 28 2025.
The defendant's former partner, her mother and child were living in the house.
A rear window of a vehicle belonging to the grandmother was smashed.
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The defendant had been shouting things including 'you took my son away' and was begging to be let into the house.
CCTV was viewed of the incident.
On March 29 2025 at 5:30pm, the defendant was banging on the door of the house.
He grabbed his ex-partner by the throat and pushed her back.
Her phone was grabbed from her hand.
Mary Neary was also present and the defendant pushed her against the stair banisters.
She had pain in her back.
When gardaí arrived, the defendant was lying on the street.
He was aggressive and was arrested.
He had 22 previous convictions, the court was told.
Mr MacSharry said that his client wanted to say that he was very sorry about what happened.
There was an early plea and he takes full responsibility.
He is a young man with a lot of convictions, his solicitor added.
They were all alcohol related.
Mr MacSharry said that his client had lost his sister, whom he was very close to, in tragic circumstances.
He said that he needs bereavement counselling.
He said that he did want to apologise.
Sgt Butler handed in Victim Impact Statements to Judge Sandra Murphy.
Mark Sweeney then took to the witness box.
He said that he wants to apologise for everything that he has done.
He said he had a lot going on, but that was no excuse.
Mr MacSharry said that he became very upset when he was reading the Victim Impact Statements.
He said he did engage with his Probation Officer.
Mr Sweeney said that he wants to get his life in order and get treatment.
Judge Murphy said the Victim Impact Statements were of very significant consequence.
Mr MacSharry said he had known him a long time and he would not know him to violent at all.
He said he was extremely intoxicated.
Judge Murphy enquired in terms of compensation for the phone and car.
Mr MacSharry said that his client did say he would like to pay compensation.
The cost was €391 for the window was €309.
Judge Murphy said that Mr Sweeney is a very young man and some of the charges are quite serious
She said she looked at the Probation Report and it seems to her, the defendant should have gone to treatment rather than custody.
She said an assault on an ex-partner was very serious and had a profound effect on them.
She said she could see Mr Sweeney's life has not been simple and drink is the problem. She said that he needs residential treatment.
She remanded him in custody to consider all the options to Thursday's district court.
