Six-month prison sentence for Offaly man for beating ex-partner 'black and blue'

A six-month jail sentence has been imposed at Tullamore District Court on a man who beat his ex-partner “black and blue”.

Judge Andrew Cody made the comment about the offence after photographs were produced to the court of the victim.

Judge Cody also told the guilty man, Mark Feery (54), Kilbride Plaza, Tullamore, that he had been engaged in “victim blaming”.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that on December 27 last year Mr Feery had struck the woman with his fist causing cuts and bruises to her face, leg, hands and neck.

The man had previous convictions for assault, causing harm, and had also previously received a suspended sentence.

Defending solicitor Patrick Martin said his client was a single man who was now unemployed but had worked as a painter and decorator.

Mr Martin said the accused man had pleaded guilty to assault, causing harm, early, and had accepted that what he had done was not right. There had been an issue with the injured party on the night and it spiralled out of control.

The solicitor asked the judge to give Mr Feery an opportunity, saying he apologised to the injured party and they had not been in contact since the incident, in which drink was a factor.

Judge Cody noted that the accused man had claimed to the probation service at first that he had not pleaded guilty and he became frustrated when the service told him he had two previous assault convictions.

“He appeared for his third appointment drunk,” added Judge Cody.

Imposing the six-month sentence, the judge fixed recognisances for an appeal.