Jail for man who punched and slapped women in pub

A 36 year old man has been given a ten month prison sentence after slapping and punching two women in a pub in Dunshaughlin.

Gerard Stokes from Townspark Navan was in Trim District Court on 27th November charged with two counts of assault.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan said this incident has had a devastating effect on "two women out on their night out, it is completely unacceptable".

Garda Donal Young told the court on 6th July last year at Peters Bar Dunshaughlin two women were attending a birthday celebration when approached by Mr Stokes. They started talking with him before he made a gesture of putting his head into one of the women’s chest before she slapped him. He became more aggressive before slapping the woman several times. When her friend approached the accused he punched her in the face and she dropped to the ground.

The court heard one of the women were brought to Blanchardstown Hospital following the incident. According to a medical report she was dizzy with a large bump and bruise on the left side of her head. The court heard the second woman had a chipped tooth, numbness in her jaw, and ringing in her ear.

Mr Stokes has 27 previous convictions, most recently on 30th July 2021 for assault causing harm.

The Defence told the court the accused is very apologetic and embarrassed by his actions and this is out of character for him because he has never assaulted a woman before. He was highly intoxicated on the day and was sober for several months prior to this incident. The defence told the court he put in a plea at the earliest opportunity.

Judge McKiernan also said the accused was previously in for a hearing date before pleading guilty on that day. The prosecution was not given any notice which meant a sentence could not be given and the case had to be pushed back to a November date.

Gerard Stokes was given a ten month prison sentence.