A man who assaulted a pregnant woman following the Dalton Park riot has been given a four month prison sentence.
Judge David Anderson refused to suspend the sentence he imposed on Hugh Nevin of 31 Grange Crescent, Mullingar.
Garda Neil Donnellan described how he had been on duty on the day of the riot and tensions were still high as he drove through the estate at 5.05pm on July 29, 2008 and observed a row taking place at the top terrace.
He drove up in the patrol car and saw Nevin punch Lucy Dinnegan into the face. She was six months pregnant at the time.
The garda immediately arrested the 22-year-old, who has two previous convictions, one for assault and one for assault causing harm.
Ms Patricia Cronin said her client had not been involved in the earlier row and had not been charged with violent disorder as more than 60 others had.
She said damage had been caused to his sister’s house in Dalton Park and he had gone to help her move her belongings out of the house to safety because windows had been broken.
He felt his family was threatened and he overreacted, she said. He didn’t know that 32-year-old Ms Dinnegan was pregnant. He wasn’t known to gardaí before the incident.
“It’s one offence to assault anybody,” said the judge “but it’s greater to assault a female and a greater offence to assault a pregnant lady”.
When asked if he would suspend the four month prison sentence, Judge Anderson replied “Not for an assault like that”.
Nevin is appealing the sentence
