A 34-year-old Cork electrician who attacked his former girlfriend and two of her female relatives with a stun gun in a frenzied assault which also involved a baseball bat and two knives was jailed for six years yesterday.
Aidan Horan of Greenwood Estate, Togher, Cork, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Olive Newman, her mother Geraldine and sister Fiona. He also pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage and false imprisonment.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court was told the part-time bouncer broke up with his partner Ms Olive Newman on October 7th, 2001.
On October 30th, Ms Olive Newman rang Horan to arrange a time for him to pick up the couple's two -year-old daughter.
An argument developed on the phone and within 10 minutes Horan arrived at Ms Olive Newman's mother's house in Bawnlee Court, Mayfield, Cork.
Sgt Colm O'Sullivan said Horan came to the house armed with a baseball bat, a battery operated stun gun and two knives. He physically assaulted Ms Olive Newman as she was holding the couple's baby daughter in her arms.
Horan produced a stun gun and used it on Ms Olive Newman's sister Ms Fiona Flaherty. He then entered Ms Geraldine Newman's bedroom and hit her with the gun while she was sitting on a bed.
The court was told Horan broke a shelf of ornaments and tore an electric light fixture from the ceiling of the room.
The terrified women placed a tumble dryer against the door of an upstairs room in a bid to keep Horan out but he broke down the door with a baseball bat.
Sgt O'Sullivan said Horan used the stun gun on all three women during the 45 minute attack.
"He told them 'this is D-Day and be prepared to die'. It was a traumatic experience for all of them. He was exceptionally violent in the bedroom." When arrested, Horan claimed he bought the stun gun in the UK because he couldn't track down a telescopic baton. He told gardaí he bought the stun gun for his work as a bouncer. Sgt O'Sullivan said Horan had trained extensively in martial arts.
Mr Horan has paid €2,000 to the Newman family as a form of compensation for his actions. He also regularly lodges money in a credit union account for his young daughter.
One of the victims, Ms Geraldine Newman, said in evidence that the attack was the most frightening experience of her life.
"It turned my life upside down. I was always helpful to Aidan. He was part of our house. I never expected it. It has left me a nervous wreck. I didn't think he was like that. I don't think my life will ever be the same again. I am a prisoner in my home now. I have had to get extra locks on my door."
Her daughter Fiona said she feared that if Horan failed to receive a custodial sentence he would go on to kill her or a member of her family.
Ms Olive Newman was not present in court to hear her former partner's apology to the family.
Horan told the court Ms Geraldine Newman was a kind and helpful grandmother who didn't deserve to be treated with disrespect. He admitted putting the Newmans through a traumatic experience but said he was taking steps to address his anger management problem.
Judge Sean O'Donnabhain said Horan "came armed with intent to do as much damage as he could". He said there was still the possibility that Horan would engage in further acts of violence. He sentenced him to six years' imprisonment and ordered that the stun gun and baseball bat used in the attack be destroyed.