Two Limerick women left with facial scars following unprovoked assault

A MAN assaulted two women - leaving them with scars - after he blocked their car on a street and threw Red Bull and vodka in the window of their vehicle.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said it was “cowardly and reprehensible”.

Gerry O’Driscoll, age 23, of Mountain Road, Newry, Co Down pleaded guilty to two assaults causing harm at Limerick Circuit Court.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the facts of the case with the assistance of Garda Brian Hanrahan.

At 2.13am on June 16, 2019, the two women, both aged in their twenties at the time, were driving in a vehicle on Ellen Street in Limerick city when a man, who was not known to them, stood in front of their car.

“They asked him to move out of the way. He threw a plastic cup of alcohol in the window of the car. The woman in the passenger side got out of the car. He punched her to the ground and dealt further punches and kicks,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The driver of the car drove around the block to see where the assailant had gone.

“She saw him on Robert Street. She got out to remonstrate with him. She said, ‘Do you think it is OK to hit a woman?’ He struck her in the face and knocked her to the ground. She said it was a closed fist with a gold ring. He grabbed her by the jumper and threw her to the ground. He hit her in the legs and ribs. She said she felt like she was trampled,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Both women were taken to hospital. CCTV footage of the assaults was played in the court.

Victim impact statements by both women were read out by the prosecuting barrister.

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“I have a scar on my upper lip which I am extremely self conscious of. I have moved out of Limerick as I don’t feel safe in my home town. A man should never hit a woman,” read out Mr O’Sullivan.

The second woman said in her victim impact statement that she was emotionally numb after the assault.

“A scar on my eyebrow is a constant reminder of this ‘man’. I feel unsafe and vulnerable. I took a three-year break from college. It still haunts me. He would not have stopped unless I kicked him. I have not socialised since. I pushed people closest to me away, directly as a result of that night. I have started counselling,” read out Mr O’Sullivan.

Garda Hanrahan said a European arrest warrant was issued for Mr O’Driscoll who voluntarily presented himself to the PSNI in Newry and was transferred to gardai in Dundalk.

Seamus Lannon, barrister for Mr O’Driscoll, asked Garda Hanrahan if his client has any previous convictions in the UK or Ireland and has he anything pending? “No,” said the investigating garda.

Mr Lannon said it was an unsavoury and disgraceful incident.

“I take an old-fashioned view as do this man’s family. They are absolutely appalled at his behaviour. They have gone out of their way to do what they can and have compensation of €10,000 for each of the women,” said Mr Lannon.

The barrister said Mr O’Driscoll’s father was viciously assaulted by a gang in Limerick and received an acquired brain injury.

“He has suffered with epilepsy since. It greatly disturbed him and his personality changed. In 2017, a number of men broke into the home of his grandfather and savagely assaulted him. The accused was a victim - he had a hurley broken over his hand. Due to the 2017 incident he (accused) took refuge in alcohol.

“What he (accused) said to us was ‘if this happened to my sister I would be appalled’. He is deeply remorseful, embarrassed and ashamed,” said Mr Lannon, who appealed for leniency.

Judge O’Donnell said two females were assaulted in the most savage fashion by a very drunk Mr O’Driscoll.

“It was cowardly and reprehensible,” said Judge O’Donnell, who referred to the injuries suffered by the victims. The judge imposed three-year suspended sentences on each of the assaults and directed the sums of €10,000 for each of the victims to be paid within a month.