AN ENNISKILLEN man who assaulted his 75-year-old mother has been jailed.
Philip Keenan (50) of no fixed abode, appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday via video link from Maghaberry Prison, charged with two counts of common assault and one count of criminal damage.
On August 21st, shortly after 10pm, police were called to an address at Ferney Rise in the town by Keenan’s 75-year-old mother. She told them her son had arrived at her home and demanded to be let in. She had previously changed her locks, on advice of Women’s Aid.
Keenan, who was drunk, was let into the house, and his mother barricaded herself in a bedroom. Keenan managed to grab her by the arm, and squeezed her fingers.
The defendant left the house but returned later, shouting at his mother if she didn’t let him in he would break the lock. He then got a pair of plyers and broke it. His mother returned to the bedroom. Keenan barged his way in and threw water over her.
When police arrived they said Keenan’s mother was frail and frightened when she opened the door, and was still covered in water. She told the officers she did not want the defendant, who has an alcohol problem, in her home.
When police spoke with Keenan he said he had “had words” with his mother, and had nowhere else to go.
Defence solicitor Michael Fahy said it had been “an extremely unsavoury incident.” He said the defendant had been living with his mother for six or seven years after returning from England, and had “overstayed his welcome.”
Mr Fahy said Keenan had expressed remorse and regret about what he did. He added the woman had called her other son who came and helped her.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said the assault had been “nasty”, “disgusting” and “cowardly.” He sentenced Keenan, who had been in custody since the incident in August as he had no address to be bailed to, to a total of five months in prison.
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