Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2188Coercive control, false imprisonment, burglary, criminal damage, threats to cause criminal damage · Co. Wicklow

Cian Smullen jailed for three years for coercive control and false imprisonment of partner in Co Wicklow

Cian Smullen, 30, of Timore, Newcastle, Co Wicklow, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment (with the final year suspended) at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to coercive control, false imprisonment, burglary, criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage over a number of months in his relationship with a woman and her daughter.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSmullen pleaded guilty to coercive control, false imprisonment, burglary, criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSmullen threatened to plant drugs in the house so Tusla would take the victim's child away. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenSmullen began a romantic relationship with the victim in 2019 and they moved in together two months later. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenIn November 2020, the victim told Smullen he had to move out and gave him a deadline. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul Burns. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDet Garda Liz Collins told the sentence hearing that Smullen became threatening and abusive and was ordering the woman to stay at home. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtEoghan Cole SC was defending Smullen. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge handed down a sentence of four years and suspended the final year, backdating it to November last. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSmullen had 24 previous convictions including one for assault, dealt with by fines and suspended sentences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSmullen had a very long history of cocaine abuse and a damaged septum. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA psychology report said Smullen had ADHD and difficulty controlling his anger. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe probation report said Smullen has limited remorse, engaged in victim blaming, and was at a high risk of reoffending. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSmullen works with his father in the family business. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSmullen was never before the court on anything on indictment and had never been in custody before. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Mar2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man who coercively controlled and falsely imprisoned partner jailed for three years

    Sentencing report detailing the course of offending, victim impact statement, judge's remarks, and mitigation arguments.

    suspect, Cian Smullen, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cian Smullenvictim, female