Mum ‘so ashamed’ after headbutting teen son

A mother of three who headbutted her teenage son when he tried to let her ex-partner into their house was battling a chronic addiction to alcohol at the time, a court has heard.

The 38-year-old woman had little recollection of her behaviour and was ashamed of how she had treated her son, her lawyer said. Her ex-partner said he had been left “broken” by her behaviour.

Judge David McHugh said the domestic violence allegation was at the top end of the court’s jurisdiction, which was aggravated by an assault on a minor, and he jailed the woman for two months.

The defendant admitted breaching a protection order and assaulting her son on March 7, 2023.

Garda Craig Geoghegan told Blanchardstown District Court that when gardaí went to the scene, the defendant and three children were inside the house. Her ex-partner had tried to get into the house, but she refused to let him in, and headbutted her son when he tried to open the door.

In a victim impact statement, the defendant’s ex-partner said he had been terrified, and he had not known what she was going to do next.

He was in fear of his life, and was broken by his ex-partner’s behaviour.

He was also trying to protect the children, he said.

Defence lawyer Ciaran MacLoughlin said the woman was battling a chronic alcohol addiction at the time.

She had since attended Cuan Mhuire, was sober, and had completed parenting and anger-management courses.

Mr MacLoughlin said the woman was back in contact with her children. He said it was difficult to articulate just how ashamed his client was of her behaviour.