Husband jailed for assaulting wife in family home

A MAN who ‘bounced’ his wife’s head off a wall and dragged her down a stairs was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment at last week’s sitting of Castlebar District Court.
Joseph Mooney of Logatemple, Claremorris, pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, GrΡinne Ruane, at their home on November 1, 2015. The matter came before Judge Mary Devins in October, where she heard that the couple had an argument when Mr Rooney returned from a bar in Kiltimagh at 2am.
During an argument he began slapping her to the head, hit her head twice off a bedroom wall, before dragging her downstairs while verbally abusing her. Ms Ruane immediately left the house and made a complaint to gardaí at 4am.
Ms Ruane told Judge Devins that she did not feel safe around her now-estranged husband and noted there had been some incidents between them when she had visited their former home to see their dogs.
At the October sittings, Judge Devins told Mr Mooney that she was ‘seriously considering a custodial sentence’ but adjourned the matter for further consideration.
At last week’s sitting, Ms Ita Feeney, solicitor for Mr Mooney said her client was extremely remorseful for what happened and described it as an isolated incident. She said their marriage of nine years had been breaking down at the time and alcohol had been consumed.
Ms Feeney said Mr Mooney was deeply ashamed by his actions and was attending counselling.
When Judge Devins heard that there were no reports to support Mr Mooney’s current situation, she said that if he was serious about avoiding a custodial sentence, he would have brought the counsellor into court.
She said that domestic violence was an assault, and that an assault in the family home was as much a criminal offence as an assault on the Main Street.
Ms Feeney said her client was fully aware of the gravity of the offence and asked Judge Devins to consider another adjournment to allow the counsellor’s report to be presented before the court.
However, Judge Devins denied the request, stating that Mr Mooney had pleaded guilty to the offence in September and he had enough opportunity to prepare his defence. She said she did not believe community service was appropriate and sentenced Mr Mooney to four months’ imprisonment with the final month suspended for a period of 12 months.
Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.