Waterford man assaulted his girlfriend and smashed her laptop during row
Waterford Court House
A 20-year-old man has been given a six-month suspended sentence for assaulting his girlfriend after she tried to break up with him.
Dominick Hannigan (20), of 1 Crystal Court, Kilcohan, was before Judge Kevin Staunton at Waterford District Court charged with assault and criminal damage.
The defendant was also summoned to court for possession of cannabis on March 6, 2026.
Sergeant John Phelan told the court that on July 20, 2025, gardaí received a report that during the course of an argument, the injured party’s boyfriend had assaulted her and destroyed her laptop.
The injured party reported that the previous day, she had attempted to break up with her boyfriend who proceeded to smash up her laptop, breaking it against a headboard.
When she tried to stop him, he pushed her, resulting in bruising.
He then took her phone and passport, the court was told.
The defendant had four previous convictions for drugs and public order offences.
Acting for the defendant Ciarán P Murphy BL, told the court that his client is working, attending counselling and has, of his own accord, completed the MEND programme.
He said that his client had paid the injured party compensation of €300 and was attending court with his mother, who wished to address the court.
From the public gallery, the defendant's mother said she believed he suffered from undiagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder.
The injured party provided a victim impact statement, which was not read aloud in court.
However, Judge Staunton said it was clear from the statement that the victim had moved on and believed her ex-boyfriend had too.
Her statement also said that she believed that he had not meant to harm her, but that he had been drinking and that had fuelled his actions.
However, Judge Staunton said he found that hard to believe, as he had seen the photos and her injuries were not what he would associate with being pushed.
Regardless, the Judge said: “It is still an assault on a female”, and he has previous drugs convictions, in addition to a matter before the court on this day.
The judge also said the fact that he had been drinking “was no excuse”.
But he was glad the man had attended MEND and paid compensation.
Judge Staunton convicted the defendant on the assault charge and sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
Everything else was taken into consideration.
“You must not come back before this court, or you will be in trouble. I wish you all the best in the future,” said Judge Staunton.
