Woman recounts assault in her home in Laois

A woman told a court she feared the last image she might ever see was her former partner as he strangled her. 

A man (38), who has a Laois address but cannot be named for legal reasons, assaulted the woman at an address in Laois on July 15, 2023. 

He appeared before Portlaoise District Court where Judge Susan Fay said she would like a probation report before she finalised the case. She noted the victim had been in court on a number of occasions. 

In her victim impact statement, the woman said “I was the victim of domestic violence. This event has greatly impacted my life.” 

She recalled being verbally and physically assaulted in her home on the date in question. 

She told the court the man “sat on top of me and strangled me as he told me it was my time” and she had pictured her beautiful children with no mother.  “I thought I was going to die as I couldn’t breathe,” she said. 

The woman recalled how she had fought to try and release his grip and she had feared his face was the last thing she would ever see. “I have a fear he will do it again,” the woman said. 

She said she now suffers with “terrible nightmares” and the assault had affected her both mentally and physically. “I can’t trust a man,” she said. 

The woman said she hoped to get therapy to try and put the matter to the back of her mind. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick requested legal aid and said her client was on jobseekers allowance.

Judge Fay adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on December 8 for finalisation.