Young mother jailed for city apartment assault

A 24-year-old mother will spend 18 months in prison for her part in an assault and burglary in Waterford City. 

Ellie Hughes (24), formerly of Maplewood, Templars Hall, appeared via video link before Judge Eugene O'Kelly for sentencing. Her co-accused Rio Smith (27), of Mountwilliam, Williamstown Road, and Thomas Connors (28), of 58 O'Connell Street, appeared in person. 

Garda Stephen Burke told the court how on November 21, 2023, Gardaí received a report of an assault on a man by two men and one woman at an apartment at Railway Square. The trio had been trying to gain access to a locked apartment. 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, Hughes and Connors are believed to have set upon the man. Hughes was in possession of a steak knife and nicked the man in his abdomen. They were apprehended by Gardaí soon afterwards at Poleberry. CCTV captured them kicking in the apartment door. Gardaí later described the apartment as "ransacked". 

The court heard that Hughes has 19 previous convictions (five of which were for assault), Smith had 19 and Connors had 11. Defence counsel Gareth Hayden BL explained that she was a mother to three children and suffered an "emotional collapse" when they were taken into State care. Her probation report stated how she had little to no guidance from a young age and struggled with her mental health. 

Judge O'Kelly sentenced Hughes to three years in prison, and suspended the final 18 months in mitigation. Smith and Connors were released on bail pending the preparation of their probation reports.