
Man accused of attacking ex in front of their children before ‘speeding off' in her car
A 30-year-old man accused of attacking his former partner in front of their children at her south Dublin home before "speeding off" in her car has been denied bail.
The unemployed father was charged with assault causing harm, burglary, motor theft and production of a metal bar as a weapon during the incident at the woman's home on the evening of July 18.
Judge White noted at Dublin District Court today that there were no orders in place under the Domestic Violence Act but said he was exercising discretion to impose reporting restrictions.
As a result, the accused cannot be named.
He said a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and gardaí would recommend the accused face trial on indictment, in the Circuit Court.
The investigating garda maintained that the unemployed man arrived by taxi at his ex-partner's home and entered the property.
Dublin District Court in the Criminal Courts of Justice. Photo: PA
News in 90 Seconds, Friday August 1
The woman was in her bedroom with her children while the accused allegedly grabbed her mobile phone and then punched her with a closed fist to the left side of her face.
The woman then fell from the bed and was repeatedly hit while she tried to get up. The contested bail hearing was told that she managed to get out of the bedroom and went downstairs.
However, it was claimed that the man, who is the father of her children, pulled her back by her jacket and brandished a metal bar from her vacuum cleaner.
Judge White was told that she managed to get downstairs, open a window and "shouted for help". Meanwhile, the accused is said to have stolen €360 and her car key from her wallet.
It was alleged he got into her car and drove away.
The woman suffered "a busted lip and pain to her face, thighs and elbows", and there were photos of her injuries, the court heard.
The car was recovered two days later.
CCTV evidence, not played during the bail hearing, was said to have recorded shouting and roaring and the accused subsequently "speeding away".
Gardaí had also taken statements from the woman, a taxi man and a neighbour to support the charges.
The investigating officer also alleged the accused had evaded gardaí who had checked several addresses until he was found on Thursday.
Concerns were raised that he had drink and drug issues and that he or his family would engage in witness interference.
The defence submitted that the man denies the allegations, has the presumption of innocence and could face a lengthy period in custody on remand.
His barrister also proposed a strict set of bail terms, including movement restrictions and no contact with the woman who did not attend the bail hearing.
The accused claimed, via his counsel, that his former partner had told him she would withdraw the allegations and, instead of jailing him, she wanted him to get help for his problems.
The defence raised issues about the use of hearsay evidence that would not be permitted in the trial.
The judge denied the bail application but granted legal aid and a certificate for counsel. The man was remanded in custody to appear again next week.

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Sunday World
13 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man accused of attacking ex in front of their children before ‘speeding off' in her car
The man was denied bail and the accused cannot be named at this time A 30-year-old man accused of attacking his former partner in front of their children at her south Dublin home before "speeding off" in her car has been denied bail. The unemployed father was charged with assault causing harm, burglary, motor theft and production of a metal bar as a weapon during the incident at the woman's home on the evening of July 18. Judge White noted at Dublin District Court today that there were no orders in place under the Domestic Violence Act but said he was exercising discretion to impose reporting restrictions. As a result, the accused cannot be named. He said a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and gardaí would recommend the accused face trial on indictment, in the Circuit Court. The investigating garda maintained that the unemployed man arrived by taxi at his ex-partner's home and entered the property. Dublin District Court in the Criminal Courts of Justice. Photo: PA News in 90 Seconds, Friday August 1 The woman was in her bedroom with her children while the accused allegedly grabbed her mobile phone and then punched her with a closed fist to the left side of her face. The woman then fell from the bed and was repeatedly hit while she tried to get up. The contested bail hearing was told that she managed to get out of the bedroom and went downstairs. However, it was claimed that the man, who is the father of her children, pulled her back by her jacket and brandished a metal bar from her vacuum cleaner. Judge White was told that she managed to get downstairs, open a window and "shouted for help". Meanwhile, the accused is said to have stolen €360 and her car key from her wallet. It was alleged he got into her car and drove away. The woman suffered "a busted lip and pain to her face, thighs and elbows", and there were photos of her injuries, the court heard. The car was recovered two days later. CCTV evidence, not played during the bail hearing, was said to have recorded shouting and roaring and the accused subsequently "speeding away". Gardaí had also taken statements from the woman, a taxi man and a neighbour to support the charges. The investigating officer also alleged the accused had evaded gardaí who had checked several addresses until he was found on Thursday. Concerns were raised that he had drink and drug issues and that he or his family would engage in witness interference. The defence submitted that the man denies the allegations, has the presumption of innocence and could face a lengthy period in custody on remand. His barrister also proposed a strict set of bail terms, including movement restrictions and no contact with the woman who did not attend the bail hearing. The accused claimed, via his counsel, that his former partner had told him she would withdraw the allegations and, instead of jailing him, she wanted him to get help for his problems. The defence raised issues about the use of hearsay evidence that would not be permitted in the trial. The judge denied the bail application but granted legal aid and a certificate for counsel. The man was remanded in custody to appear again next week.


Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Pensioner jailed for five years over sexual abuse of three young girls
Louis Feeney (74) appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court A man who sexually abused three young girls in Co Donegal has been jailed for five years. Louis Feeney (74) of Killowen Street, Coleraine, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge Roderick Maguire for sentencing. Feeney admitted sexually assaulting three females at various locations in Co Donegal between 1993 and 2005. The court heard he had entered guilty pleas to sample charges and they were accepted on a full facts basis without prejudice. The three women were in court when Judge Roderick Maguire sentenced Feeney to five years in jail. Louis Feeny. News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 31 Judge Maguire described the abuse, which occurred when the girls were children and young secondary school age, as 'predatory' and for Feeney's own sexual gratification. The court heard Feeney has 85 previous convictions in Northern Ireland including for rape and sexual assault. In regards to the first complainant, an incident occurred when she was around ten years old and the complainant was in his 40s at the time. Detective Garda Robin Doyle told State Prosecutor Fiona Crawford the first incident occurred when the man put his hand down the back of her trousers and touched her privates. She said she remembered that he had glasses, and he smelled of 'BO and fags.' Another incident occurred when the man put his hand inside her underwear. She said this incident lasted around two minutes and the woman said she asked him to stop. A third incident outlined detailed that Feeney put his hand up the young girl's shirt and started feeling her breasts. He then put the same hand down the front of her trousers and inside her underwear. The victim recalled feeling that the more the abuse happened, the more guilty she felt and she tried to bury what was happening. She recalled he would get 'crabbit' if questioned and after the incidents he would carry on as normal. Another incident also occurred where Feeney 'rubbed himself against her', put his hand under her top, rubbed her breasts before putting his hand inside her underwear and touching her private parts. Another incident involved Feeney kissing the young girl on the lips. She said she tried to push him away and she had never really been that close to him before. The final incident before the court for the first complainant involved him touching her breasts. The second complainant told gardaí that Feeney started to rub her shoulders before moving to touch her breasts with one hand under her bra but she pulled away and he offered her coins. She also detailed another incident where he touched her on the leg. The third complainant told gardaí that Feeney came into a room, told her to lay down on the floor and he got on top of her. He started to feel her upper body before he put his hand inside her underwear. Another incident occurred when the girl was around seven years old and he put his hand inside her underwear and touched her. She said the incident only lasted two or three seconds as he heard someone coming and pulled his hand out. The court heard Feeney was interviewed by gardaí and he denied the allegations but did follow up with a guilty plea. Feeney has no previous convictions in this jurisdiction but has 85 previous convictions in Northern Ireland. The previous convictions include offences of sexual assault, rape and indecent assault. Victim impact statements for the victims were read to the court by Ms Crawford. The first victim said her innocence had been robbed and the abuse has overshadowed every childhood memory. 'He robbed me of my childhood.' She said he had taken her innocence and "no human has the right to take this from any child'. She said she was left feeling dirty and had a lot of hatred, anger and sadness in her body. She said she became very shy and the abuse impacted her confidence while she also suffers with trust issues and she finds it difficult to make close friendships. The second victim said the abuse has had a long term effect on her life and as a child, she remembers being someone who loved adventure but that innocence of childhood had been taken from her. She said she became a reserved child who had to try and hide what was happening. She explained she remembers crying herself to sleep and has attended counselling to try and address the impact the abuse has had on her. She said she often experiences flashbacks to her childhood and said dealing with abuse can be 'lonely and frightening.' She added it was important to make more people aware of the impact abuse can have on individuals and their families. The third victim said the child abuse left her feeling isolated and frightened with a sense of confusion and a fear that no one would ever believe her. She said she struggled with feelings of shame and sorrow while she suffered with anxiety and a sense of sadness. She said she has a difficulty trusting other people and the abuse continues to affect her everyday The man appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Defence barrister Peter Nolan BL, instructed by solicitor Mr Donough Cleary, said Feeney is in custody on these matters having been extradited from Northern Ireland earlier this year. The court also heard that in June 2025, Feeney pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Court to charges relating to 1,840 grams of cocaine following an incident in 2005. He is to be sentenced later this year. Feeney was put in the witness box and he apologised to the victims and said, 'I am sorry for giving you all this trouble.' Mr Nolan said it was rare to come across a defendant with such a history of sexual crimes adding Feeney had a long and very serious criminal history. Referring to the probation and welfare report, Mr Nolan said there was not a lot of redemption in it and Feeney had said he has no recollection of the incidents. The court heard Feeney was deemed at a high risk of reoffending and appeared to show little or no regard for the victims. Mr Nolan said Feeney was adopted at a young age, has not had intimate relationships, has no contact with his family and has spent a lot of time living in hostels, B&Bs and accommodation. Mr Nolan said Feeney has a learning difficulty, left school at 16 and previously worked as a milkman, in a factory and with a showband travelling around Northern Ireland. Mr Nolan told the court a psychiatric report was not ready for the hearing but Feeney is anxious to have the matter disposed off. Mr Nolan said Feeney is an elderly man 'who will probably die in prison' due to the substantive sentence he could receive due to his record. Mr Nolan said he did not think light at the end of the tunnel was a possibility for Feeney who is 74 years old. Mr Nolan asked Judge Roderick Maguire for whatever leniency he can deliver. Mr Nolan said his client did not wish to be in court for the deliverance of sentencing however, the victims were canvassed, and they said they wanted him to attend the hearing. Judge Maguire ordered Feeney to attend the court for Friday's sentencing hearing where he was sentenced for five counts with the further four charges to be taken into consideration. Judge Maguire said the charges related to sexual assault on three women and he described the abuse as 'predatory' and for his own sexual gratification. Judge Maguire said in one incident, Feeney told the victim not to tell while in another he offered money. He said the abuse took place when the girls were vulnerable and at a young age. The judge said the abuse had a lasting impact on the victims and the harm done was significant leaving a devastating impact on women's lives. Judge Maguire said the harm had affected their whole lives and was profound. He said the women deserved every credit for becoming the inspiring women they are. Judge Maguire said the offending was repetitive and left the victims with a sense of isolation. He also referred to Feeney's long history of relevant sexual assault convictions and the probation report which found Feeney to be at a high risk of reoffending. The judge said the sentence must reflect the abuse of the three victims and be proportionately appropriate to the totality of offending. Judge Maguire said the headline sentence was of one of seven years before mitigation. He referred to Feeney's expression of remorse but added he seems to not have full insight into the offending and he said he lacked memory of the incidents. Judge Maguire said Feeney did not cooperate in interview, but he did enter an early guilty plea, which was of value. Judge Maguire said he had limited knowledge about the defendant's health, but that while Feeney was elderly, he is 'not at immediate risk of dying in prison.' Judge Maguire sentenced Feeney to five years in prison, 12 months on each count to run consecutively. He said he had considered suspending part of the sentence but did not suspend any portion. Feeney is to be given credit for time served in custody on the charges in the case.


RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
US man jailed for five years over rape of woman in Dublin
A 32-year-old man who was extradited to Ireland from the United States has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to raping a woman in Dublin seven years ago. Kevin Yungman was extradited from Florida in the US to Ireland in August 2024 after authorities in Ireland issued a warrant for his arrest. Yungman had initially met the then 19-year-old Brazilian woman in Paris in 2018, before arranging to meet in Ireland two months later where he allegedly raped her twice in a Dublin. The victim reported the assault to gardaí two days later and Yungman was arrested boarding a flight at Dublin Airport. He was later released from custody while a file was being prepared by the Director of Public Prosecutions, which directed he be charged with rape. In the sentencing hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt acknowledged it was very difficult and sad case which arose out of a consensual background which took a bad turn. "This case all comes back to consent of the other person involved," he told the court. Judge Hunt said he accepts fully how the victim's life has been affected and hopes the ability to express these matters will help her in her recovery. He added that Yungman's mother was an impressive witness too. But he said that Yungman must suffer the consequences of his actions and is confident he can contribute positively to society when he is released. Judge Hunt said it was a serious offence and that the asphyxiation was an aggravating factor in issuing the sentence. He also said that guilt was acknowledged at a late stage. Yungman was sentenced to six years in prison with the final year suspended. Judge Hunt told the court that Yungman said he will have difficulty in serving his sentence as he has no connections in Ireland. He said he will not have the regular support of friends or family. Judge Hunt said he would suspend an additional year if Yungman pays the sum of a bond of €100 and not return to Ireland for a period of ten years following his release and have no contact with the victim.