Former military man with excellent service record jailed for violent assault

A 44-year-old man from Shannon Court, Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim, was sentenced on July 22 for violently assaulting his former partner and mother of his child. The attack, which occurred in front of their child, involved several punches and left the victim with significant injuries. Judge Alymer described the assault as “very serious,” placing it at “the upper end of
the scale” for violent offenses.

Kevin Armstrong, of 6 Shannon Court, Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim, pleaded guilty to the assault. “This was a violent and abusive incident, witnessed by your child, which makes it all the more aggravating,” the judge remarked. Armstrong had no previous convictions, and his guilty plea spared the victim from the ordeal of a trial. In mitigation, the court considered Armstrong’s 21 years of military service. “I also, in mitigation, considered the excellent military record brought to my attention for his 21 years of service,” Judge Alymer said.

The court also considered Armstrong’s steps toward rehabilitation. He had entered into a contract with the MOVE program, aimed at helping men overcome violence and anger issues. “He has engaged positively with the probation service and entered a contract for completing the MOVE program,” Judge Alymer stated. Additionally, Armstrong paid €5,000 to the victim as a token of remorse. The payment was accepted by the victim and taken into account as a mitigating factor. Judge Alymer imposed a three-year prison sentence for Armstrong’s violent assault. “I place the assault on the upper end of the scale,” Judge Alymer explained.

The final 18 months of the three-year sentence were suspended under strict conditions. Armstrong was ordered to enter into a bond of €100 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 18 months following his release. He must also remain under the supervision of the probation service, continue engaging with the MOVE program.

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