Friday 30 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. 14837Assault and coercive control · Co. Louth

MMA fighter jailed for assault and coercive control of ex-partner in Louth

Between August 2022 and January 2023, a 32-year-old Latvian man, a former partner of a woman, carried out a series of offences against her at her apartment in County Louth, including assault and coercive control. The offences included kicking her dog, breaking her finger, choking her, stealing her mobile phone and, on November 11th 2022, producing a knife and trying to stab her. Gardaí found him hiding under her bed in January 2023 while investigating a breach of a safety order. He pleaded guilty and was jailed for five and a half years at Dundalk Circuit Court, with the final six months of a six-year total sentence suspended for two years on a good behaviour bond, as reported on 22 January 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 32-year-old Latvian man pleaded guilty to a series of offences against his former partner, a woman.
  • The offences included serious assault and coercive control.
  • He kicked the woman's dog across the room, and on another occasion poured cans of beer over her and her dog.
  • On October 15th 2022 he choked her and kicked her on the right leg, and he kicked her hand, breaking her left ring finger.
  • Thirteen days after the October 15th incident he re-entered her apartment and punched her arms and legs.
  • He snapped her car key in half, stole her mobile phone and punched her in the face.
  • The following month he slapped her and held a knife to her throat.
  • After being allowed out on bail, he broke into her apartment and told her he could kill her.
Where
The incidents took place in the woman's apartment in County Louth.
When
The first incident described took place on August 10th 2022, and the offending continued until January 2023.
Weapon
He produced a knife and tried to stab her on November 11th 2022.
Investigation
In January 2023 gardaí investigating a breach of a safety order found the defendant hiding under the woman's bed.
Charges
He admitted criminal damage, theft of the woman's mobile phone, two counts of assault and animal cruelty.
In court
  • Sentencing was adjourned in November for a Probation report, urinalysis and a governor's report.
  • The judge said the aggravating factors included the serious nature of the offending.
Sentence
Judge Hayes at Dundalk Circuit Court imposed sentences totalling six years, backdated to January 2nd 2023.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man pleaded guilty to a series of offences against his former partner, including serious assault and coercive control. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatHe kicked the woman's dog across the room. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatHe kicked her hand, breaking her left ring finger. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatOn October 15th 2022 he choked her and kicked her on the right leg. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThirteen days later he re-entered her apartment and punched her arms and legs. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatHe snapped her car key in half, stole her mobile phone and punched her in the face. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe next month he slapped her, held a knife to her throat and poured cans of beer over her and her dog. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatAfter being allowed out on bail, he broke into her apartment and told her he could kill her. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe incidents took place in the woman's apartment in County Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe first incident described happened on August 10th 2022. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponHe produced a knife and tried to stab her on November 11th 2022. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationIn January 2023 gardaí investigating a breach of a safety order found the defendant hiding under the woman's bed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeHe also admitted criminal damage, theft of the woman's mobile phone, two counts of assault and animal cruelty. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtSentencing was adjourned in November for a Probation report, urinalysis and a governor's report. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the aggravating factors included the serious nature of the offending. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceHe was jailed for five and a half years at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Hayes imposed sentences totalling six years, backdated to January 2nd 2023. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe final six months were suspended for two years on a good behaviour bond. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe woman had a miscarriage. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe court heard the man intends to return to Latvia on his release from prison. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Jan2025
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    MMA fighter jailed for assault and coercive control of his ex-partner in Louth

    Reports the sentencing at Dundalk Circuit Court of a man who pleaded guilty to offences against his former partner between August 2022 and January 2023, including assault, coercive control, criminal damage, theft of her phone and animal cruelty. Gives the sentence, its suspended part and the conditions attached.

    convicted, 32, male, Latvian, non-irishvictim, female