Dublin man given suspended sentence for attacking partner

A man has been given a four year suspended sentence for an attack on his then-partner at their home.

Lee Roche (33) of Cromcastle Court, Cromcastle Park, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on December 15, 2023. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage on the same date.

Garda John Courtney said Roche and his partner were living in Donaghmede when the assault occurred in the early hours of December 15, 2023. She told gardai there was a dispute with Roche.

The woman said there was a bad atmosphere in the house and Roche’s behaviour became more aggressive as the night went on. She said she endured a sustained assault where he hit her to the side of the head causing her ear to ring.

He also pulled out her hair extensions. He grabbed her right breast and was pushing into her ribs. She told him she couldn’t breathe. Roche was shouting at her. He dragged her down the stairs headfirst, the court heard.

There was some conversation and he hit her again. She was on the floor at the foot of the bed and  between the wall. Roche hit her in the face any time she tried to protect herself.

She brought her child to school and returned to her home. Roche slammed the front door and she felt she couldn’t leave the home.

She made a full statement of complaint at the garda station saying Roche “had changed utterly” since the time of his mother’s passing. A victim impact statement was handed into court but not read aloud.

The court heard Roche has no previous convictions. The relationship has since ended and they are co-parenting, the court was told.

Under cross-examination, the garda agreed Roche had a drug use problem with cocaine and was taking steps to address this. A probation report put him at low risk of reoffending, the court heard.

He also agreed the injured party broke her leg earlier this year and Roche has been taking care of the children. Roche is also taking care of his grandfather who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Garda Courtney further agreed Roche set up a running club in Coolmine. It was also accepted that he was open that he had committed abuse against his partner and pleaded guilty.

In mitigation, Marc Thompson BL said committing an assault on a woman is a very serious offence.

Counsel said his client “is struggling to understand” why it happened but that drugs had played a large part. He handed in testimonials and said Roche is no longer taking cocaine or alcohol.

“It seems to me your client has perfect mitigation but committed serious crime,” said Judge Martin Nolan.

He acknowledged that Roche has since expressed remorse and there has been no repetition of what occurred on the night.

Judge Nolan acknowledged that the man’s partner had written a letter to the court and noted that Roche is now both contributing to his family and his local community.

He sentenced Roche to four years in prison which he suspended in full adding “the tipping factor was the letter from his partner”.