Cork, Ireland – A farmer in Cork, Ireland, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for assaulting his 64-year-old neighbor repeatedly over a 25-year period and falsely accusing her of stealing his mother’s mail. Hugh O’Brien, 52, was removed from the courtroom during his sentencing hearing due to his disruptive behavior, which included verbally attacking a testifying police officer.
O’Brien, from Ballyanly, Inniscarra, Cork, had to watch the remainder of the proceedings via video link after being ejected from the courtroom. He had recently been found guilty of assault causing harm to his neighbor, Mary O’Brien Daly, the victim of his sustained aggression.
During the incident that led to his sentencing, O’Brien physically attacked Mrs. O’Brien Daly at her home, causing her to fear for her life. The assault resulted in severe injuries, including a mini-stroke and ‘broken heart syndrome.’ O’Brien falsely accused his neighbor of stealing his mother’s mail, leading to a violent confrontation.
The court heard that O’Brien’s relentless assault on Mrs. O’Brien Daly was unprovoked and lasted approximately six minutes. The victim, who described the assault as a traumatic experience, stated that her life had been irreversibly altered by the incident and the subsequent medical issues she faced.
Despite his family circumstances, Judge Colin Daly ultimately sentenced O’Brien to three years in prison, with the last six months suspended. O’Brien’s disruptive behavior during the trial and sentencing hearings, as well as his history of violent offenses against his neighbors, were considered aggravating factors in his sentencing.
Following his conviction, O’Brien continued to assert his innocence, leading to further disruptions during the court proceedings. Judge Daly emphasized that O’Brien’s repeated outbursts and lack of respect for the court’s authority were unacceptable, ultimately leading to the defendant being removed from the courtroom during his sentencing.