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Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork judge 'gobsmacked' at appeal by man convicted of attacking his ex in front of their children
A middle-aged man violently attacked his ex-partner in her bedroom as their two infant children tried struggled to protect her. Judge Sinead Behan said she was "gobsmacked" at Cork Circuit Appeals Court to hear that the man was hoping for a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act in his appeal of the five-month sentence imposed on him at the district court. After adjourning the case for further information on how matters had progressed since this occurred over two years ago, Judge Behan said that she would suspend the five-month jail term on condition that he would keep the peace for the next two years. He was also required to pay €500 compensation to his former partner for the assault. The judge warned him that if there was any further difficulty in the two-year period of the suspension then he would serve the five months in jail. Sergeant John Kelleher confirmed – after speaking to the victim of the case – that there had been no further assault since the violent incident occurred at around 11.30pm on March 18, 2023, when the woman's ex-partner entered her home and came into her bedroom. The sergeant described that incident: 'He started poking and punching her a number of times in the ribs. She briefly lost consciousness.' Her two infant children intervened and tried to protect their mother from this attack. 'They were trying to stop the assault,' the sergeant said. Eventually, she managed to break free from her ex-partner but he followed her down the stairs, pulled her by the hair to the floor and he then left the house. The injured party contacted her friend and ultimately the gardaí were alerted. Barrister Alan O'Dwyer appealed the case on behalf of the accused at Cork Circuit Appeals Court. 'It was very out of character for him. He and his former partner have a civil relationship now and they get on with each other. It is no excuse but he was drinking heavily on the night. "They are not living in the same house now. 'He has apologised to his former partner. He has apologised to his children,' Mr O'Dwyer said. Sgt Kelleher said the victim told him that she got a garbled text from her ex-partner the day after this occurred but she did not regard it as an apology. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Man convicted for causing death of pillion rider in 2018 case
Bhubaneswar, May 28 (IANS) The additional district and sessions judge (ADJ) court in Patnagarh, Balangir district of Odisha, on Wednesday pronounced the judgment in the sensational parcel bomb case in which a newlywed software engineer, Soumya Sekhar Sahu and his 85-year-old great-aunt, Jemamani Sahu died on February 23, 2018. Panaji: A North Goa court convicted a man in a 2018 case of rash and negligent riding that caused the death of the pillion rider. He was also fined Rs 10,000. The court, however, gave him the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act and allowed him to be released upon entering into a bond for a year and, in the meantime, maintain peace and good behaviour. The accused, aged 21, and the victim, 20, were proceeding from Panaji to Margao when the accused lost control of his scooter, went off the road, and fell along with the pillion rider, who succumbed to injuries at the GMC. The court observed that it was a self-accident due to rash and negligent riding. While the accused denied all allegations, he didn't furnish any explanation. The court held that the prosecution proved, beyond the shadow of reasonable doubt, that the man caused the accident due to his rash and negligent riding and consequently caused the death of the pillion rider. The assistant public prosecutor, S Bodke, for the state, said he deserved maximum punishment as he caused a serious accident where a young girl lost her life and that he was also in a drunken condition. The court stated that it could not accept this because there was no chemical report on record to show he was drunk at the time of the accident. It added that punishment has to be imposed focusing on the present and future prospects of the accused. 'The accused was also of a young age at the time of the accident, and in a particular state of mind, possibly he may have ridden the vehicle and lost control. His age and the way in which the accident happened are the peculiar facts to be considered in this case,' the court held. It added that he is working as a regional manager and is the sole breadwinner of the family. 'This shows that he is positive and serious towards his life prospects. Imposing severe punishment may invite a stigma of conviction that may ruin his future. The mens rea is absent in such cases. Nothing is on record to show that he has any past antecedents of the same offence,' the court held, and directed that the fine amount be paid as compensation to the kin of the victim.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Garda assaulted teen joyrider with ‘gratuitous' knee to stomach as he arrested him
The youth had already surrendered following a pursuit and was being restrained when Garda Dean Chapman struck him with 'no need', a court heard A garda assaulted a teenage joyrider with a 'gratuitous' knee to the stomach as he arrested him after a 'highly reckless' road rampage around a busy shopping centre. The youth had already surrendered following a pursuit and was being restrained when Garda Dean Chapman struck him with 'no need', a court heard. Chapman (35), who has since left the force and is now a firefighter and paramedic, pleaded guilty when he appeared in Dublin District Court. Judge Aine Clancy applied the Probation of Offenders Act, sparing him a recorded conviction, after he made a €1,000 charity donation. Chapman admitted assaulting the teenager at an address in west Dublin following a road chase around the Blanchardstown Centre on January 22, 2023. The court heard the car was stolen in Tipperary and was driven dangerously in a garda pursuit which ended when it was abandoned in the shopping centre. The teenager was arrested at a nearby house and Chapman placed a hand on his shoulder before bringing him to the ground. When the youth was being brought back to his feet, Chapman kneed him in the abdominal area. The garda air support unit had been involved in the pursuit and the helicopter footage was played to the court, showing the car being driven at speed through traffic on a busy afternoon at the Blanchardstown Centre. Chapman, who had no previous convictions, was involved in the pursuit from the M50 and the court had seen an example of 'what can only be described as highly reckless and dangerous driving' by the stolen car, his barrister said. Garda Dean Chapman. Photo: Collins Courts News in 90 Seconds - 5th June 2025 He had witnessed this before the encounter with the teenager who was 'previously known to the gardai and had not been compliant with them.' This was to the forefront of Chapman's mind when he struck the victim in a 'momentary aberration of character.' The victim was now serving a prison sentence. Chapman had worked in the gardai for four years as well in the defence forces and had an 'exemplary record.' The assault incident was one factor in Chapman's decision to resign from the gardai. The lawyer asked the judge to consider the effect a conviction would have for someone like Chapman, who was dealing with the public on a daily basis. The court heard he had one child and another on the way. Judge Clancy said she had seen the 'horrendous' driving that took place in the lead up to the assault. 'It's a knee to the abdomen of the injured party, it was gratuitous, he was already restrained and there was no need to do that,' she said. However, she dismissed the charge under the Probation Act after the €1,000 donation was made.
Dublin Live
4 days ago
- Dublin Live
Man set off smoke alarm after aggressively ignoring cabin crew on Dublin flight
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An insurance broker triggered a smoke alarm on a London Stansted – Dublin flight after aggressively ignoring cabin crew and going to the toilet just before take-off on Sunday, a court has heard. Father-of-two, William Horn, 29, of Stone Rings Lane, Harrowgate, England, pleaded guilty yesterday to charges under the Air Navigation and Transport Act following his arrest on Sunday at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport. Airport-based Garda Sandip Shrestha told Dublin District Court he charged the accused with offensive behaviour on the Ryanair flight and setting off the smoke alarm, and the accused replied: "You are chatting shit". Judge John Brennan noted that day-tripper Horn, who came to Ireland for a birthday party, was pleading guilty to the charges. Garda Shreshta said on June 1, he received a call from cabin crew about "a disruptive passenger" on the flight. Garda Shreshta learned that Horn was in the toilet, and "a plume of smoke set off the smoke alarm inside the plane". The captain also confirmed to the garda that the alarm was also activated in the cockpit. Judge Brennan heard that it started just before taking off in Stansted when the aircraft was taxiing to the runway. The seatbelts signs were activated but Horn "ignored the cabin crew's instructions and went to the toilet, and walked by the cabin crew in an aggressive manner". Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury told the court his client, who remained silent during the hearing, was pleading guilty and from his perspective, it had been "somewhat an ordeal and in his own mind a misunderstanding". The garda agreed with Mr Bradbury that the aircraft was about to take off when Horn decided to go to the toilet. The accused had no prior convictions in Ireland. Mr Bradbury said his client has been "chastened" by this ordeal, was held in custody overnight, and missed his birthday party. The court heard there was no evidence of intoxication, and Horn insisted he was not smoking in the toilet. However, the solicitor acknowledged that, at the very least, the issue had a smattering of recklessness all over it. The solicitor said it happened when the aircraft was taxiing for take-off, which was aggravating circumstances for the flight attendants. Judge Brennan said it happened in a confined environment where people were vulnerable, but on the scale of these offences, it ranked at the lower end. He said that if Horn donated €500 to a Dublin charity which has assisted people affected by homelessness and addiction, he would receive the Probation of Offenders Act and be spared a criminal record. The judge warned that failure to pay would result in recorded convictions and fines totalling €800. Horn was released on €300 bail and excused from attending when the case resumes next week.
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Extra.ie
Broker told to pay €500 to charity for Dublin-bound flight disruption
An Insurance broker triggered a smoke alarm on a London Stansted-to-Dublin flight after aggressively ignoring cabin crew and going to the toilet just before take-off on Sunday, a court heard yesterday. William Horn, 29, a father-of-two from Stone Rings Lane, Harrowgate, England, pleaded guilty to charges under the Air Navigation and Transport Act following his arrest on Sunday on arrival at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport. Airport-based Garda Sandip Shrestha told Dublin District Court he charged Horn with offensive behaviour on the Ryanair flight and setting off the smoke alarm, and that the accused replied: 'You are chatting sh**.' William Horn. Pic: Tom Tuite Judge John Brennan noted day-tripper Horn, who came to Ireland for a birthday party, was pleading guilty to the charges. Garda Shreshta said that on Sunday, he received a call from cabin crew about 'a disruptive passenger' on the flight. Garda Shreshta learned that Horn was in the toilet and 'a plume of smoke set off the smoke alarm inside the plane'. The captain confirmed to the garda that the alarm was also activated in the cockpit. Judge Brennan heard the incident started just before take-off when the aircraft was taxiing to the runway. The seatbelts signs were activated but Horn 'ignored the cabin crew's instructions, went to the toilet and walked by the cabin crew in an aggressive manner'. Dublin Airport. Pic: Getty Images Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury told the court his client, who remained silent during the hearing, was pleading guilty and from his perspective, it had been 'somewhat an ordeal and in his own mind a misunderstanding'. The garda agreed that the aircraft was about to take off when Horn decided to go to the toilet. The accused had no prior convictions in Ireland. Mr Bradbury said his client has been 'chastened' by this ordeal, was held in custody overnight and missed his party. The court heard there was no evidence of intoxication, and Horn insisted he was not smoking in the toilet. William Horn. Pic: Tom Tuite However, the solicitor acknowledged that, at the very least, the issue had a smattering of recklessness all over it. The solicitor said it happened when the aircraft was taxiing for take-off, which was an aggravating circumstance for the flight attendants. Judge Brennan said it happened in a confined environment where people were vulnerable, but on the scale of these offences, it ranked at the lower end. He said that if Horn donated €500 to a Dublin charity which has assisted people affected by homelessness and addiction, he would receive the Probation of Offenders Act and be spared a criminal record. The judge warned that failure to pay would result in recorded convictions and fines totalling €800. Horn was released on €300 bail.
