Waterford man viciously assaulted teen in city
The Armed Support Unit (ASU) had to be called to the assault at a house in Waterford City.
A Waterford man committed a horrific act of violence against a 19-year-old woman at an address in the city.
Thomas Connors, (28), of 58 O'Connell Street, had received a partially suspended sentence for assaulting the woman, but went on to commit a violent burglary less than a year after his release from prison. Connors will serve a year in prison for triggering his sentence.
On April 12, 2020, Gardaí attended the scene at a house in the city and found Connors in a "highly intoxicated and aggressive" state, refusing to open the door and kicking a young woman.
Through the window, Gardaí saw the injured victim with swelling to her face and blood in her hair. The Armed Support Unit had to be called to gain access into the premises because there was "something behind the door". When Gardaí made their way inside, the assailant was found upstairs in bed, still acting aggressively.
In May 2022, Connors received a two year and six month sentence with the final year suspended. He was released in February 2023.
Nine months later, he committed burglary alongside two co-accused. On November 21, 2023, the trio tried to gain access to a locked apartment in Railway Square. The sounds of kicking prompted a man in an apartment nearby to come out and check the source of the noise. When the man came out, Connors and another person are believed to have set upon the man.
One of the attackers was in possession of a steak knife and nicked the man in his abdomen. The victim used a metal bar to protect himself from the attackers. They were quickly apprehended by Gardaí at Poleberry. CCTV captured them kicking in the apartment door. Gardaí later described the apartment as "ransacked". Connors’ actions in Railway Square triggered a Section 99 re-entry for his conviction for assault.
In court, defence counsel Tom Giles Kelly BL said that Connors received an injury on his arm. Judge Eugene O’Kelly responded: “I hope he’s not complaining about it.
“It’s very disappointing that Mr Connors did not take that chance.”
Connors will serve 18 months in prison for the criminal damage and production of an article, and a further 12 months in prison for triggering his earlier sentence.
