Nenagh man who threw hot water over his girlfriend jailed

A man who poured hot water on his girlfriend has been given an 18-month prison sentence at Nenagh Circuit Court. 

Connor Williams (30) of 1 Barr an Cnoic, Nenagh, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to Aisling Ryan contrary to Section 3 of the Non-fatal Acts Against the Person Act 1997.

The arresting garda told the court that Ms Ryan reported two assaults that had occurred while she was in a relationship with the defendant.

The court heard that on October 26, 2022, during a dispute, Mr Williams took a kettle which had just boiled and threw the contents over Ms Ryan, injuring her arms, chest and back. 

She told gardaí that during a second dispute in November 2022, in Barr an Cnoic, where they had both consumed alcohol, Mr Williams put Ms Ryan in headlock and chokehold, before picking her up and throwing her out the door. 

During the assault, Mr Williams also hit her with a small coffee table, the court was told.

The guard said that on November 13, 2022, they took photos of Ms Ryan’s injuries.

She had a burn to her upper right arm and left side of her chest. 

There were marks on her left shoulder, right jaw and bruising on her chest, stomach and one of her legs. 

The guard said the injured party received treatment for her injuries on November 12  and provided a medical report for the court.

VICTIM IMPACT

In her victim impact statement, which was read aloud in court by the guard, Ms Ryan said that in their time together she felt “unloved and not good enough”.

She said he “tossed” her “around like rubbish” and said she didn’t know if she would survive.

As a result of the assault, Ms Ryan has scars and anxiety. But, she is now in employment and doing better. 

“Looking back, I see what a scary and harmful relationship it was,” said Ms Ryan in her statement. 

CERTAIN ADMISSIONS

The court was told that when Mr Williams was arrested he admitted to the first assault but said on the second he was defending himself. 

At the time, he was on bail for drug offences, which he was subsequently imprisoned for and is currently serving that sentence. 

Mr Williams has 25 previous convictions, including a conviction for Section 2 assault against Ms Ryan. 

Acting for the defence, Suzanne Gorey BL, said her client was “disgusted” with himself. 

She said the victim did not immediately seek medical attention, but Mr Williams had advised her to, as well as to contact the gardaí.  

Ms Gorey said the defendant comes from a “difficult background” and suffers from issues with addiction, suicidal ideation and mental health difficulties.

 She said when he is well he has had a significant work history.

While in prison, he has “used his time wisely” working and engaged in education.

The court heard Mr Williams has taken a course in domestic violence and “expressed genuine remorse” for his actions. 

JUDGEMENT

Judge Catherine Staines noted that in this case, Section 14 of the Domestic Violence Act applies. 

She said she noted the previous conviction for assault on the same victim, Ms Ryan’s scars and the psychological impact of the assault. 

She said the headline sentence should, therefore be four years. 

However, in mitigation, the judge noted the defendant’s guilty plea, background, psychiatric report and that he is engaged with addiction services.

She imposed the 18-month sentence to run consecutively to the one he is currently serving.

Judge Staines took the second count of assault into consideration.