Judge Mary Devins adjourned sentencing in the case of a man who broke into his ex-partner’s house and assaulted her then partner in his bedroom. Patrick Farragher, 43 Barr na hAille, Claremorris, pleaded guilty to the charge in court which was also told he has since the incident been reunited with the woman, who was his ex-partner at the time.
Garda Hugh O’Donnell told the court that at 7am on September 7 2008, Farragher broke into the home of David Fitzsimmons and made his way upstairs to the bedroom where Mr Fitzsimmons was asleep in bed with his then girlfriend. Farragher assaulted Mr Fitzsimmons, causing bruising on his face.
Solicitor for Farragher Laura Glennon told the court that her client and the woman involved in the situation had been together for 15 years at the time of the incident and had three children together. The couple had separated for a two to three month period and Farragher had started drinking, after being off the drink for several years, and he was very intoxicated at the time of the incident, but hasn’t drank since. After the incident Farragher and his partner reunited and are still together.
Judge Mary Devins told the court: “No matter how much drink he had, he did not have the right to break into a man’s house and assault him. What would you do if she left you again, would you go back on the drink?” she asked the defendant.
Judge Devins adjourned the sentencing on the case for six months on the proviso that Farragher had no contact with the injured party in the meantime.
