Ireland Case No. 21030Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 1 Sep 2022
Man jailed for assault on 86-year-old woman put into wheelie bin in Ranelagh
On 1 September 2022, in the early hours, Marie MacGowan, an 86-year-old woman with early onset dementia who had become lost on her way home, was attacked in Ranelagh, Dublin 6, by Alex Bailey, a 30-year-old man. The attack lasted more than 40 minutes and ended when three students intervened and called an ambulance, and Bailey was arrested 12 days later after gardaí reviewed CCTV footage from local businesses. Bailey pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm, robbery of cash and false imprisonment. On 19 May 2023 Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to three years in prison, backdated to when he went into custody, with the final six months suspended on conditions that included keeping the peace and abstaining from alcohol and drugs.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced19 May
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Bailey punched and kicked MacGowan, dragged her along the path and put her headfirst into a wheelie bin.
- The attack lasted more than 40 minutes, with CCTV showing assaults over 42 minutes, and ended when three students intervened and called an ambulance.
- MacGowan was treated in hospital for a fractured nose and blood loss.
- Where
- The attack took place in Ranelagh, Dublin 6, after MacGowan had become lost on her way home.
- When
- The attack took place in the early hours of 1 September 2022.
- Cause
- Bailey had taken cocaine and alcohol and the court heard he was experiencing drug and alcohol induced psychosis, including a delusional belief that MacGowan was a predatory paedophile.
- Investigation
- Bailey was arrested 12 days after the attack after gardaí reviewed hours of CCTV footage from local businesses.
- Charges
- Bailey pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, robbery of cash and false imprisonment.
- In court
- Judge Orla Crowe at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court said Bailey had no previous convictions and identified the nature and duration of the assault, the victim's age and its serious consequences as aggravating factors.
- Sentence
- Bailey was sentenced to three years in prison, backdated to when he went into custody, with the final six months suspended.
- The suspended part is conditional on keeping the peace, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, and attending the Rutland Centre's continuing care programme, with sources differing on whether this lasts one year or at least two years after release.
- Other details
- Bailey offered €10,000 as a token of remorse, which MacGowan did not accept, so the sum will be donated to the Royal Hospital in Donnybrook.
37 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBailey punched and kicked the victim, dragged her along the path and put her headfirst into a wheelie bin. (rte.ie)
- whatThe attack lasted more than 40 minutes and ended when three students intervened and called an ambulance. (rte.ie)
- whatThe victim was treated in hospital for a fractured nose and blood loss. (rte.ie)
- whatBailey assaulted the 86-year-old woman by putting her head first into a wheelie bin. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe woman was punched in the face and kicked to the body as she tried to get out of the bin. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe accused assaulted the victim intermittently for 42 minutes. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused put the victim's head first into a wheelie bin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack took place in Dublin in the early hours of the morning. (rte.ie)
- whereBailey met the woman in a Dublin suburb. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe assault took place in Ranelagh, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack took place on 1 September 2022. (rte.ie)
- whenThe assault took place on 1 September 2022 in Dublin 6. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe assault took place on 1 September 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- causeBailey had taken cocaine and alcohol and was experiencing drug and alcohol induced psychosis. (rte.ie)
- causeThe court heard Bailey was experiencing induced psychosis due to his level of intoxication during the incident. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe accused was experiencing induced psychosis due to his intoxication. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationBailey was arrested 12 days after the attack after gardaí reviewed hours of CCTV footage from local businesses. (rte.ie)
- investigationBailey was arrested 12 days after the attack. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe accused was arrested 12 days after the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBailey pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim causing harm, as well as robbery and false imprisonment. (rte.ie)
- chargeBailey pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, and admitted robbery and false imprisonment. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe accused pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim, causing her harm. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe accused also admitted robbery of cash and false imprisonment. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Orla Crowe said Bailey had no previous convictions. (rte.ie)
- sentenceBailey was jailed for two-and-a-half years. (rte.ie)
- sentenceBailey was sentenced to three years in prison but the final six months were suspended. (rte.ie)
- sentenceBailey must keep the peace, abstain from alcohol and drugs, and attend the Rutland Centre's continuing care programme for at least two years after release. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Crowe sentenced Bailey to three years in prison, backdated from when he went into custody. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe final six months of the sentence were suspended on conditions including keeping the peace, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, and attending the Rutland Centre for one year post-release. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge sentenced the accused to three years in prison, backdated to when he went into custody. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge suspended the final six months on conditions including keeping the peace and abstaining from alcohol and drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge said the aggravating factors were the nature of the assault, its duration, the victim's age and the serious consequences for her. (rte.ie)
- otherBailey offered €10,000 as a token of his remorse. (rte.ie)
- otherThe woman was treated for a fractured nose and blood loss. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe judge said the €10,000 Bailey brought to court should be donated to The Royal Hospital in Donnybrook if the injured party did not wish to accept it. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe victim was treated for a fractured nose and blood loss. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim did not accept the €10,000 offered by the accused, and the sum will be donated to The Royal Hospital in Donnybrook. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 19 May2023Man who robbed, punched, kicked and threw woman (86) into wheelie bin is jailed
Court report on sentencing. Adds the guilty pleas, the sentence and suspension terms, the victim's injuries and the victim impact statement. No earlier case in the list matches.
victim, Marie MacGowan, 86, female, irish (judged from name)Marie MacGowanconvicted, Alex Bailey, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alex Bailey - 19 May2023Man who put 86-year-old woman in wheelie bin during attack is jailed for two-and-a-half years
Reports the guilty plea at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the robbery and false imprisonment admissions, the sentence of three years with the final six months suspended, the judge's remarks, the victim impact statement and the offer of €10,000. Notes that Bailey was intoxicated and believed the victim was a paedophile.
victim, 86, femaleconvicted, Alex Bailey, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alex Bailey - 19 May2023Man jailed for prolonged attack on 86-year-old woman
Adds the sentencing outcome: three years with the final six months suspended, Judge Orla Crowe's aggravating and mitigating factors, the conditions attached to the suspended portion, Bailey's offer of €10,000 and the victim's injuries and care needs.
victim, Marie MacGowan, 86, female, irish (judged from name)Marie MacGowanconvicted, Alex Bailey, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alex Bailey