Ireland Case No. 3967Non-fatal strangulation, assault causing harm, false imprisonment · Co. Louth · 24 Apr 2024
Matthew King, 25, jailed for six years over savage attack on pregnant partner in Hackballcross, Co Louth
Matthew King, 25, of Hackballcross, Dundalk, Co Louth, was sentenced to six years in prison at Dundalk Circuit Court on 27 January 2026 after pleading guilty to non-fatal strangulation, assault causing harm, false imprisonment and production of a metal bar in an attack on his eight-months-pregnant partner on 24 April 2024. The judge described the incident as 'a savage, cruel and prolonged attack on an intimate partner.'
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKing strangled his pregnant partner and she lost consciousness. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKing beat her with an iron bar on her legs. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKing locked her in a caravan toilet. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKing poured bleach and heating oil over her head. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKing urinated on her after she refused to perform a sex act on him. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman was eight months pregnant at the time of the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman sustained injuries to her ankles, lost teeth, a swollen face, cuts to her body, and had concerns for her kidneys and foetal movement. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereKing is from Rassan, Hackballcross in Dundalk, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack took place on 24 April 2024 at Hackballcross. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKing pleaded guilty to non-fatal strangulation, assault causing harm, false imprisonment and production of a mental bar. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceKing was sentenced to six years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceKing was ordered to have no contact with the woman directly or indirectly. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceKing was ordered to undergo 18 months post-release supervision. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKing has 60 previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe baby was later born with no ill effects. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKing turned to alcohol and drugs in his early teens after being told he was adopted from the US. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAt age 21 King became addicted to heroin. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe taxi driver told gardai that King and the woman were arguing in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKing made full admissions and has shown remorse, though he had limited recall of the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jan2026Man jailed for 'savage, cruel and prolonged attack' on pregnant partner
Sentencing details including the judge's description of the attack, King's background (adoption, foster care, addiction), the victim's injuries and impact statement, and the conditions of the sentence (no contact order, 18 months post-release supervision).
convicted, Matthew King, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Kingvictim, female