Enniscorthy, Ireland — A woman has suffered permanent hearing damage after a violent assault by her former partner, a case that was examined during a recent court appeal hearing. The incident, which occurred in June 2020, resulted in an appeal for a ten-month prison sentence handed down to Keith Kennedy, 42, who was not present when the court proceedings initially began.
Kennedy’s barrister, Emmet Whitmore, indicated that his client was delayed coming from Piercestown, causing him to arrive after the scheduled start of the hearing. Following his late arrival, Judge Cormac Quinn proceeded with the case. Testimony revealed that police officer Brian Delaney arrived at the scene in Madeira Grove and found evidence of assault on the victim, identified as Mary O’Brien, who had visible bruises.
The court heard that the violence erupted after the couple returned home from a barbecue. According to details presented, Kennedy demanded O’Brien’s phone and began striking her. While seated in a downstairs room, she endured multiple blows, culminating in a punch that rendered her unconscious. O’Brien recounted in her victim impact statement that she “blacked out” after being kicked while on the floor.
Following the attack, O’Brien described her belief that Kennedy intended to kill her as he expressed his rage by destroying furniture, including a coffee table. She reported that he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol that night, estimating it to be approximately eight cans of beer, although Kennedy later told authorities he might have drunk between 12 and 15 cans, leaving him with fragmented memories of the assault.
In her statement, O’Brien reflected on the controlling nature of their relationship, saying, “I was silenced during our relationship,” and characterized their home life as a “prison.” She has since been coping with post-traumatic stress, persistent headaches, and the aftermath of a damaged eardrum.
Whitmore attempted to draw a connection between Kennedy’s actions and his prior abuse of a synthetic drug known as “blow.” He noted that Kennedy has abstained from both alcohol and the drug for over 100 days. However, Kennedy arrived in court unemployed and without an offer of restitution to O’Brien.
Judge Quinn decided to postpone the verdict, emphasizing the potential influence of Kennedy’s tardy appearance on the proceedings. The case was adjourned until November, allowing Kennedy time to pursue rehabilitation, while the court requested a formal medical report regarding O’Brien’s hearing impairment.