Man jailed after throwing ashes of woman’s late partner across room and threatening to kill her
Olivia Kelleher
A man who punched a woman in the face, threatened to kill her, and threw an urn containing the ashes of her late partner across a room has been jailed for 27 months.
Shane Casey (32) previously pleaded guilty to threatening to kill the woman at Broad Lane, Great William O’Brien Street in Blackpool, Cork city, on June 14th, 2023. The plea was entered on a full facts basis.
Garda Michael Abernathy told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that Mr Casey turned up at the house of the woman completely uninvited and in an intoxicated state.
Garda Abernathy said that Mr Casey punched the woman four times, causing soft tissue damage to her face.
“He (Casey) struck her with his fist. He ran towards the kitchen and said that he was going to ‘finish her (the victim) off.’ She believed he was going to get a knife.
He followed her and demanded money from her. She gave him €50. He threatened and abused her. He picked up an urn containing the ashes of her ex-partner and threw them across the room.”
Garda Abernathy said that a neighbour went to the assistance of the woman. Mr Casey was arrested and detained for questioning by gardaí.
Mr Casey, formerly of Great William O’Brien Street in Blackpool, Cork, has 53 previous convictions.
Defence barrister Jessica Kelleher, BL, said that the plea in the case saved the victim from having to give evidence. She indicated that her client was remorseful for his actions.
Judge Helen Boyle also heard that the accused has extremely poor mental health and suffers from psychosis.
Judge Boyle said that the woman had suffered an “invasion” of her home by the accused, who then physically assaulted and threatened to kill her.
“A home should be a place of safety. I have no doubt it was a terrifying experience.”
Judge Boyle noted serious mental illness of the accused and the fact that the offence occurred when he was highly intoxicated.
She set a headline sentence of 3.5 years which she reduced to three years with the last nine months suspended. The entering of a guilty plea was a factor in the sentence handed down to Mr Casey.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women’s Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Men’s Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.
Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
