Dundalk Court: Suspended sentence for man (21) who attacked his mother

A 21 year old man who dragged his mother from her bed and attacked her after she had told him to go to bed, has been given a suspended sentence at Dundalk Circuit Court and been ordered to perform 120 hours community service.

The court heard that after the pair attended joint counselling sessions, the defendant - who can't be named for legal reasons, had moved back in with his mum, in breach of a bail condition.

The defendant pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and causing criminal damage arising out of the incident at an address in County Louth, on April 13th last year.

Although a protection order had recently been served on him, he returned to his mum's home in the early hours of the morning and went into her room and told her that he loved her.

He wished her a goodnight, but after his mum told him to go to bed and be quiet, and turned over to go back to sleep, he shouted at her “What kind of a mother are you?” and started ranting and raving at her before he dragged her out of her bed by her arms and made her stand up, before he hit her in the face several times with an open hand.

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The victim tried to reach a neighbour's house, but at the gate her son knocked her to the ground and she screamed at him to get off her. During the assault his foot was on the victim's throat.

He had no previous convictions, and his Defence counsel stressed that it was almost as if a switch had been flicked.

The case was adjourned last April for an updated Probation report and when the case was called yesterday the Defence barrister said his client accepts that the contents of it are correct.

It said the 21 year old is living with his mother in breach of a bail condition and the lawyer explained it had started as staying for a night “here and there” and he had very clear instructions that the defendant accepted the breach and is not looking to blame anyone else.

The barrister said his client was under the mistaken impression that his mother "could consent to him staying there" and urged the court to not let it overshadow the other progress made.

The court heard the defendant has started attending AA, the pair have begun to rebuild their relationship and his mother, who forgives him, says he has changed his life around.

He is now in full-time employment and recently passed his driver's theory test. The counsel also stressed that he had not come to further adverse attention.

Judge Hayes imposed a two and a half year sentence which was suspended in full on the defendant entering a bond to be of good behaviour during that period.

He must also perform 120 hours community service and the judge told him “Keep doing what you're doing and treat your mother with respect”.

As part of the suspended sentence, the 21 year old must attend all appointments with the Probation Service, attend counselling when required, remain alcohol and drug free and attend restorative justice services.