Ireland Case No. 23634False imprisonment; assault causing harm · Co. Offaly · 6 Jul 2021
Birr man remanded for psychiatric report after guilty pleas to false imprisonment and assault of partner
James O'Leary, 35, of Birr, Co Offaly, appeared at Tullamore Circuit Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to the false imprisonment and assault causing harm of his then-girlfriend Carol Brennan on 6 July 2021. Judge Keenan Johnson remanded him in custody until 18 April 2023 pending a forensic psychiatric report, with an indicative sentence of five years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 Dec
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe locked the door behind her after letting her in from babysitting. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe hit her on the back of the head, punched her, grabbed her by the arm and neck, and squeezed her throat. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatShe tried to bite him to get away and he punched her in the face and blocked her way to the door. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe grabbed her by the throat a second time after she screamed. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe threw her onto the couch and punched her on both sides of the face. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe told her that if she left she would have to leave her phone and bank card behind. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe lay on top of her on the bed and when he fell asleep she messaged a friend and left the house. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at the home the couple were sharing in Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe victim reported the assault at Birr Garda Station on 8 July 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGarda David Lewis came across O'Leary while on patrol in Cloghan in September 2021 and he made full admissions after arrest. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Keenan Johnson expressed concern that the victim could return to a relationship with a man who grabbed her by the throat. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherO'Leary had 37 previous convictions for various offences including public order and criminal damage, and had been sentenced to prison before. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherHe had no previous conviction for assault and was on bail from Tallaght District Court at the time of the offence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThis was his first appearance before the Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherDefence counsel described a difficult upbringing with no father present, being sent out to beg, physical abuse as a child, and leaving school at 14. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherO'Leary read a letter of apology in which he said he knew she still loved him. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherO'Leary said he had been sexually assaulted and Ms Brennan was the only one who believed him. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherO'Leary said at the time of the assault all he could see was an individual involved in an incident that had happened to him in 2020 when he was homeless in Dublin. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherO'Leary accepted he needed psychiatric help, was on medication, and on a waiting list for treatment. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherO'Leary had been sober since 18 February when he went into prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Dec2022Man who grabbed partner by throat tells Tullamore Circuit Court he knows she still loves him
Sentencing hearing at Tullamore Circuit Court; accused remanded in custody pending forensic psychiatric report; judge expressed concern about continuing relationship between the parties and the victim's safety.
victim, Carol Brennan, female, irish (judged from name)Carol Brennanaccused, James O'Leary, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)James O'Leary