Ireland Man jailed for threat to kill and assault on partner in Dundalk
Richard Smyth, a 36 year old man, assaulted his then partner, a woman, over a six hour period at an address in the Dundalk area, Co Louth, on 28 June 2023. The violence began around 2am after an argument that started with pushing and shoving, and stopped around 8am when the victim's ex called to collect their child. Smyth was arrested and was unfit to be interviewed for six hours due to intoxication. He pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill and a further charge of assault, and was sentenced at Dundalk Circuit Court by Judge Dara Hayes, with reports of the sentence published on 12 June 2026 differing on its terms.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced12 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Richard Smyth, aged 36, assaulted his then partner, a woman, over a six hour period.
- The woman said she was thrown to the ground on multiple occasions and Smyth choked her.
- Smyth told the woman she would not leave the house alive.
- Where
- The offences took place at an address in the Dundalk area, County Louth.
- When
- The offences took place on 28 June 2023.
- Cause
- The assaults began around 2am after an argument that started with pushing and shoving.
- Investigation
- The violence stopped around 8am when the victim's ex called to collect their child, and his mother reported suspected domestic violence.
- Smyth was arrested and was deemed unfit to be interviewed for six hours due to intoxication.
- Charges
- Smyth pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill and to a further charge of assault.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Dara Hayes imposed a two-year sentence for the threat to kill with the final 12 months suspended on a good behaviour bond, and a concurrent four-month sentence for assault; a Louth Live report published on 12 June 2026 said Smyth was jailed for 12 months.
- Other details
- Smyth had 21 previous convictions, none for violent offences.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe defendant assaulted his then partner over a six hour period. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe woman said she was thrown on the ground on multiple occasions and he choked her. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe defendant told the woman she would not leave the house alive. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe offences took place at an address in the Dundalk area. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe offences took place on 28 June 2023. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- causeA series of assaults began around 2am after an argument that started with pushing and shoving. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationThe violence stopped around 8am when the victim's ex called to collect their child, and his mother reported suspected domestic violence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationThe defendant was arrested and was deemed unfit to be interviewed for six hours due to intoxication. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeThe defendant pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill and a further charge of assault. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceJudge Dara Hayes imposed a two-year sentence for the threat to kill, with the final 12 months suspended on a good behaviour bond, and a concurrent four-month sentence for assault. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe defendant had 21 previous convictions, none for violent offences. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Jun2026Man who assaulted woman over six hour period in Dundalk is jailed
Court report on the sentencing of Richard Smyth at Dundalk Circuit Court; adds the plea, the sentence and details of the assaults and threats heard in court.
convicted, Richard Smyth, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Smythvictim, female