Man who broke into woman’s house and assaulted her was out on bail at time

A 35 year old man broke into a woman’s house and assaulted her just weeks after being released from custody and on bail for six other offences.

Dean O’Connor (35), of no fixed abode was in Trim Circuit Court on 19th February charged with burglary and assault causing harm. Mr O’Connor pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five and a half years in prison, backdated to 17th November 2024, with an additional 18 months suspended for two years following his release.

Judge John Martin said to Mr O’Connor “your actions and those with you have had a catastrophic impact”.

Garda Ben McGarry told the court on 30th April 2023 Gardaí received a call alleging that an intruder entered the injured party’s home. When Gardaí arrived the injured party had several cuts across her upper body the back of her head was bleeding heavily. The front sitting room window and front door window were smashed with a large amount of blood and broken glass present at the scene.

Garda McGarry told the court three or four men broke into her home and assaulted her in the hallway, one of whom was allegedly holding a silver weapon she could not identify. The medical report read to court said she received multiple kicks to the face and head during the incident with the cut across her scalp being closed with staples. She had bruising across her face and head and reported having amnesia following the assault.

Another man was also assaulted during this incident and the injured party’s daughter was a witness to the event. The injured victims were taken to Drogheda Hospital.

In her victim impact statement read to court, the injured party said the incident left her and her daughter shattered, broken, and barely holding on. She said they are trapped in a living hell of fear and anxiety and she is struggling “to find a way out of this darkness”.

The court heard the injured party knew of Mr O’Connor before this incident and was able to identify him but not the other co-accused. CCTV was used to identify the men which showed the car arriving then fleeing with the injured party running after them.

Mr O’Connor was arrested and made no comment to questions put to him. The court heard an investigation at the home took place with DNA confirming the accused was there during the incident.

The court heard Mr O’Connor was out of prison for only a few weeks before this offence occurred and was on bail for six offences across four courts when it took place. On 10th April 2024 he was given a ten month prison sentence on another matter and has been in custody on this offence since 17th November 2024.

The court heard this case went to trial before it collapsed after prejudicial evidence was given. Following this a guilty plea was given into the courts on 4th November last year.

Mr O’Connor had 65 previous convictions which include theft, domestic violence, criminal damage, possession of drugs, possession of knives, and threats to kill or cause serious harm with some road traffic and public order matters.

Barrister Garnet Orange SC told the court Mr O’Connor “knows he has brought this on himself” and acknowledges he will be serving a lengthy sentence.

SC Orange told the court his client has been working since 16 and currently works within the prison system which the defending barrister said shows he is “well capable of making a contribution to the community”. The defending barrister told the court Mr O’Connor completed an alternative to violence project last month during his time in custody.

Judge Martin said he is sorry the victim was ever in court and "you have all my sympathies in that matter".