Man (51) attacked former partner, Dundalk court heard
A 51 year old man who attacked his ex-partner in her home in Ardee, has had his sentencing adjourned at Dundalk Circuit Court so a Probation report can be prepared.
Glen Finnegan with an address at Mullenstown, Ardee pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and causing criminal damage to a bedroom door at the victim's home on June 8th 2019.
The court heard the defendant had originally called to his ex-girlfriend's home to do some paint work and was drinking cans of cider, while she was watching TV.
She asked him to put headphones on when he began playing music, to avoid disturbing the neighbours, but he became verbally abusive and kept putting up the music each time she told him to turn it down.
Ultimately she locked her bedroom door and refused to come out.
The defendant began hammering on the door before he got into the room.
He started telling her he was going to kill her and punched her repeatedly.
The victim later told gardai she thought "This is it" and outlined how he “went full blast” with punches and kicks.
The woman escaped out her balcony door and sought refuge with a next door neighbour and while the defendant initially went to his van, he returned and jumped the neighbour's balcony and spat in the victim's face.
After his arrest, the defendant denied assaulting the woman and claimed her bruises were from her drinking.
The court heard he had 19 previous convictions from the district court, including serious assault.
The Defence barrister said his client had €2,500 in court for the victim, and has been sober for some time.
Judge Dara Hayes, who noted the defendant and has not come to garda attention in almost four years, and appears to be dealing with his alcoholism, put back the case to June 8th to allow him the opportunity to engage with the Probation Service, but he warned a custodial sentence remains a very real and distinct possibility.