Man who punched his ex-partner at Dublin theatre is jailed

Eimear Dodd

A man who punched his ex-partner at a Dublin theatre and then assaulted her outside the venue, leaving her with a scar on her face, has been jailed for 20 months.

Sean O'Faolain (48), of College Grove, Castleknock, Dublin 15, came forward from the District Court on signed guilty pleas to assault causing harm on April 13th, 2024. He has no previous convictions.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence on Wednesday that O'Faolain's ex-partner invited him to go to a show at the Olympia Theatre with her as another friend was unable to attend.

They went to dinner and for drinks before going to the theatre, where O'Faolain became aggressive and started to punch the injured party, who received a blow to the left side of her face.

O'Faolain was looking for more alcohol, but she ignored him before leaving through a side entrance during the interval.

On a side street outside the theatre, O'Faolain pushed her, and the victim fell to the ground. He then stood over her and punched her in the face.

erbys tried to intervene, but O'Faolain was aggressive towards them. Staff from the Olympia Theatre brought the woman inside, then ed emergency services.

The victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance. She sustained a deep cut to her chin, and her jaw was fractured in two places.

Damage was also caused to her teeth, and she had bruising to her face and neck. She told gardaí she was shocked by what happened, was in pain, and the incident meant she missed work, which caused embarrassment and has had financial implications for her.

The court was told she wore a scarf and a face mask to disguise the bruising so she could return to work.

She has a permanent visible scar on her face, which she is conscious about and tries to disguise with makeup. She developed anxiety and attends counselling. The victim also faces ongoing medical and dental bills.

The court heard the woman declined to make a victim impact statement as she felt the effects of the assault were outlined in her complaint to gardaí.

The investigating garda agreed with Carol Doherty BL, defending, that her client surrendered his bail ahead of the sentencing date and has accepted responsibility for his actions.

Ms Doherty said this was a “shameful incident,” which occurred when her client was highly intoxicated. She said O'Faolain has had difficulties with alcohol over the years, and while this is not an excuse, it provides context to his offending.

She asked the court to take into O'Faolain's early guilty plea, his work history and the contents of three character references.
She said his behaviour was “appalling” but asked the court to look at his previous good character and to consider suspending a portion of any sentence imposed.

Judge Martin Nolan said O'Faolain became “angry and hostile” before he punched the victim in the theatre, then continued the assault outside the venue.

He noted the victim sustained serious injuries but described her as an “accomplished lady” who has done her best to carry on with her career.

The judge noted that O'Faolain has no previous convictions, a good record of work and pleaded guilty at an early stage.

Judge Nolan said O'Faolain deserved a custodial sentence and handed him a 20-month prison sentence, backdated to February 19th last when he went into custody.