Man grabbed woman by the neck

A forklift driver admitted breaking his former partner's hall door and assaulting her. 

Declan McGuirk, 37, of 30 Highfield Meadows, Portlaoise admitted to criminal damage and assault at Thornberry, Abbeyleix on March 24 last.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby outlined the offences at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

“He assaulted her by grabbing her by the neck and broke the front door of the house,” he said. He said the couple had broken up prior to the incident. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said the injured party had been compensated for the damage and had made a statement of withdrawal in relation to the assault. 

She said this indicated “she was well disposed to him”. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client works as a forklift driver and was “absolutely ashamed” at what he had done. 

Judge Andrew Cody read a victim impact statement which wasn’t read out in court. He was told the man had paid €500 to repair the damage to the door. 

“Smashing in her door and grabbing her by the neck, I have no doubt she believed she was going to be killed,” he said. 

He convicted the man of assault and fined him €500. The criminal damage charge was taken into consideration.