A man who broke his partner’s ribs and gave her two black eyes when she did not cook his dinner has been given a four-year sentence with the final two years suspended.
Matthew Drohan (51), Béal Srutha, Ballybane, Galway, was described by a judge yesterday as a “mortal danger ” to his partner and someone who had treated her like an animal.
Drohan first appeared before Judge Raymond Groarke at Galway Circuit Criminal Court in January. Believing his partner of 15 years was too afraid to give evidence against him, he denied a charge of assault, causing her harm, at their home on December 5th, 2010.
However, moments before the trial was due to begin, he learned she was being brought to court by gardaí to give evidence against him.
Drohan then changed his plea to guilty.