Men jailed for viciously assaulting a woman in her Louth home

Two men who viciously attacked a woman over a number of hours after entering her home through an open window - have each been jailed for 11 years at Dundalk Circuit Court.

​The victim was slashed three times in the face with a Stanley knife blade and was burned when the spray from an aerosol was set alight.

Leigh Kearney (30) of O'Hanlon Park, Dundalk and his 32 year old co-accused Michael Murden who was also living at that address at the time, had both pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary on Barrack Street, Dundalk on September 22nd 2024.

Two further charges against Leigh Kearney of false imprisonment and assault causing harm, were taken into consideration at the sentencing hearing. The court had previously heard how the victim who was asleep in bed woke to find two men standing in her bedroom.

They asked her: “Where’s the money and the rest of the people” and when she told them she didn’t have any money – they began a vicious and sustained attack, with Michael Murden repeatedly punching her to the head and kicking her in the face.

The woman attempted to push past them, and the pair began hitting her all over.

The other man Leigh Kearney from O’Hanlon Park, smashed a lamp over her head and cut her three times with a blade and she remembered Michael Murden saying “Whoa, whoa Leigh man, that’s too far”.

She saw Leigh Kearney get a fire extinguisher and remembered thinking she was going to die if she didn’t escape and she managed to run out the door and took refuge in a neighbour’s house.

The court heard Michael Murden had 86 previous convictions including assault causing harm, burglary and robbery, while Leigh Kearney had nine previous, and was on bail at the time. Leigh Kearney was also before the court for sentencing in relation to a violent disorder incident at Londis, Castletown Road, in July 2022, while Michael Murden was also sentenced for a burglary at Black & White Technologies, Clanbrassil Street Dundalk September eighth 2024.

Judge Dara Hayes said it was accepted that the aggravated burglary was not pre-planned and the pair had taken advantage of an open window while they were both intoxicated.

He added that what occurred had been life changing for the victim who has been impacted physically and mentally and a 4" scar on her face brings back memories every time she looks in the mirror and she said she is no longer the same person.

He said Leigh Kearney had fallen in with the wrong crowd, and had difficulties with alcohol and poly-substance misuse but is now eight months clean and is on the waiting list for addiction services in prison.

Judge Hayes noted that no excuse or explanation had been given for what occurred that night and Mr Kearney had caused facial scarring and had attacked the woman with a knife and with fire having a previous conviction for assault causing harm.

The judge said the 30 year old had engaged in minimising his offending but had expressed his remorse and steps have been taken in his rehabilitation, with the defendant making constructive use of his time in prison.

Judge Hayes imposed an 18 month sentence for violent disorder offence and a consecutive sentence of 11 years for the aggravated burglary, with the final 18 months suspended

As part of the suspended portion of his sentence Leigh Kearney must place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months post release.

The judge said while Michael Murden had objected after his co-accused used the knife to cause the injuries, he had been an enthusiastic participant in the aggravated burglary but had objected to the extent of the use of the knife as he felt he had 'gone too far".

The court noted the 32 year old, who had been offending since he was 17, had completed an eight week drug treatment course while in custody.

Judge Hayes imposed a three and a half year sentence for the burglary at the technology shop and a consecutive sentence of nine years for the aggravated burglary on Barrack Street with the final 18 months suspended.

As part of the suspended part of his sentence, Michael Murden must place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months post release.

Judge Dara Hayes imposed sentences totalling 12 and a half years with the final 18 months suspended on the defendants placing themselves under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months post release.

Both defendants are to be given credit for time spent in custody.