Man jailed for violent assaults on defenceless women

A Mullingar man has been jailed for two years and three months for assaulting two women in a drink-fuelled attack in 2022.

Hugh McDonagh (25), of The Brosna, Friar’s Mill Road, Mullingar, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the two women on March 7, 2022.

He appeared at Mullingar Circuit Court, where Judge Keenan Johnson passed judgement on a “very violent”, “unprovoked”, “very serious assault” under the influence of alcohol.

The two women, who told the judge know that they bore no “ill will” towards Mr McDonagh, were commended for their “generous and magnanimous” approach.

Previously, the court heard how the accused had headbutted one woman and kicked her in the head, and held the other up by the neck. One of the women suffered a fractured jaw and was hospitalised for three days. The other suffered an injury to her nose.

Judge Johnson noted that Mr McDonagh was assessed as being at high risk of reoffending, and that he had prior convictions for assault.

“This was a very serious offence. The application of such violence on two defenceless ladies is reprehensible,” he said.

Judge Johnson imposed a three-year sentence on one assault charge, suspending the final nine months for a period of three years. He imposed a second prison sentence of two years and three months for the second assault charge, to run concurrently.

On release, Mr McDonagh is to remain under the supervision of the probation service for a period of 18 months, and is to remain intoxicant free. He is to avail of education and training and undergo counselling for substance misuse, bereavement and anger management as the probation officer sees fit.