Dad (47) pays €10k to former partner he assaulted three times

A 47 year old man who admitted assaulting his former partner on three occasions, including once with a lump hammer was fined €500 by Judge Kevin Kilrane at Sligo District Court last Thursday.

Peter Lynch of Woodstream, Coolaney also had €10,000 in court for his victim, who was willing to accept the money but who was not present in court. The case had been adjourned from a previous sitting to allow the victim, Lousie Dunleavy consider whether she wished to accept the compensation payment.

Lynch and Ms Dunleavy had been in a relationship for two and a half years. On October 16 th 2016 Lynch assaulted Ms Dunleavy at their home while on February 11 th 2017 at the Haddington Hotel it was stated he tried to choke her while on February 19 th 2017 it was said he attacker her with a lump hammer at their home.

Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor (defending) said Lynch was undergoing counselling, was committed to the programme and was deeply sorry for what had happened. Mr MacSharry handed in to court a letter from the defendant, whom he said was aware the matters were very serious.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said Lynch had engaged in extremely serious assaults on Ms Dunleavy. The most serious was when a lump hammer was used in the course of an assault. The relationship was volatile and he it was difficult to understand how she had remained in the relatinship given the previous incidents. Lynch had put forward money and this was punishment in itself as the defendant wasn’t in particularly good financial circumstances.

Because of his remorse, the absence of previous convictions and the payment of money he was going to convict on one of the counts, February 19 th and imposed a €500 fine with the other two charges taken into consideration.