Enniskillen Magistrates Court
A COURT has heard details of a brutal domestic abuse attack, which descended into sectarianism, and left the victim in fear.
However despite being found guilty the abuser, who dragged the victim by the hair and stamped on her stomach, maintains he acted in self-defence.
Noel Patrick Mullane (46) of Willowvale, Enniskillen denied two counts of assaulting his former partner on March 17.
The case ran as a contest last month at Enniskillen Magistrates Court where he was convicted by District judge Michael Renahan. The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports and on return to court it was established Mullane “still protests his innocence.”
The victim contacted police to report being in a bar with the defendant, where he began making “sectarian and derogatory” comments about her children.
Disgusted, she threw the remainder of her drink in his general direction and left the bar.
Mullane followed her and launched a brutal attack, dragging the woman by her hair, and stamping on her stomach. During this, he referred to her as “a fat English bastard”.
The victim sustained significant bruising, including to her stomach and torso, and remains in fear of Mullane.
He was arrested and at the start of the interview told police, “I haven’t done this and I have nothing further to say.”
A defence lawyer said his client, “Still protests his innocence and says he acted in self-defence.”
It was accepted there is a previous record and the offences were committed in breach of a suspended sentence.”
Judge Renahan remarked Mullane, “Cannot keep going around beating up his partners.”
But he decided to defer sentencing to allow the defendant to engage with services addressing his behaviour.
He told Mullane, “You need to recognise your problems and your attitude to women. I am deferring for a period of time to allow you to do something about your behaviour. Otherwise I am thinking of five months immediate custody. This is your final chance to accept what you have done and address your issues.”
The defence enquired, “Are you wanting my client to admit the assault?”
But the judge replied, “No I don’t. I want him to admit the harm and pain domestic violence can cause.”
Sentencing will be revisited in three months.
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