Saturday 31 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. 20083False imprisonment, assault causing harm and production of a weapon · Co. Limerick · 18 Jul 2022

Limerick man jailed for attack on woman in July 2022

In the early hours of 18 July 2022, a woman was strangled with a mobile phone cord, stabbed with a car key and had bleach thrown in her face, according to reports of the case in Limerick. Fintan Lynch, aged 43, of Focus Ireland apartments, Parnell Street, Limerick city, was first taken into custody on 22 July 2022 and pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to false imprisonment, three assaults causing harm and production of a weapon. On 10 August 2023 it was reported that he had been sentenced to six and a half years for false imprisonment, with four and a half year concurrent sentences for the other offences, backdated to 22 July 2022.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Aug
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The victim was strangled with a mobile phone cord, stabbed with a car key and had bleach thrown in her face.
Where
The accused assaulted and headbutted the victim on Parnell Street, Limerick.
When
The incident occurred in the early hours of 18 July 2022.
Cause
The accused and the victim had been in an intermittent romantic relationship for nine months before the attack.
Weapon
A mobile phone cord and a car key were used in the attack, with the accused repeatedly stabbing the victim in the back with the key.
Investigation
  • Gardaí responded to a 999 call reporting that a female had been assaulted by a male.
  • The accused was first taken into custody on 22 July 2022.
Charges
The accused pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, three assaults causing harm and production of a weapon.
In court
  • The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court, where Judge Tom O'Donnell described it as savagery.
  • The judge said the accused's previous convictions underpin a history of violence.
Sentence
  • The accused received a six and a half year sentence for false imprisonment, backdated to 22 July 2022.
  • Four and a half year sentences, to be served concurrently, were imposed for each of the three assaults and the production of a weapon.
Other details
  • The victim suffered bruising, a fractured nose, ligature marks on her neck, eye damage from bleach and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • The accused has previous convictions including robbery, arson, assault causing harm and possession of a firearm.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victim was strangled with a mobile phone cord, stabbed with a car key and had bleach thrown in her face. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe accused assaulted and headbutted the victim on Parnell Street. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred in the early hours of 18 July 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe accused and victim had been in an intermittent romantic relationship for nine months before the attack. (limerickleader.ie)
  • weaponThe accused repeatedly stabbed the victim in the back with a car key. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí responded to a 999 call that a female had been assaulted by a male. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, three assaults causing harm and production of a weapon. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the case as savagery and said the accused's previous convictions underpin a history of violence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was given a six and a half year sentence for false imprisonment, backdated to 22 July when he first went into custody. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceFour and a half year sentences, to be served concurrently, were imposed for each of the three assaults and the production of a weapon. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe victim suffered bruising, a fractured nose, ligature marks on her neck, eye damage from bleach and post-traumatic stress disorder. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe accused has previous convictions including robbery, arson, assault causing harm and possession of a firearm. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Aug2023
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick man jailed over 'savage' torture of woman

    Sentencing report at Limerick Circuit Court, published 10 August 2023. Lynch received a six and a half year sentence for false imprisonment and four and a half year concurrent sentences for the three assaults and production of a weapon.

    convicted, Fintan Lynch, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Fintan Lynchvictim, female