Man admits assaulting ex and publishing intimate images of her
A Midlands man has admitted publishing intimate images of his ex-partner and attacking her in a hotel.
The man, in his 20s, who is not being named for legal reasons, appeared at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court where he entered guilty pleas to the two offences.
Judge Kenneth Connolly remanded him in continuing custody pending sentence.
He was accused of assault causing harm to the woman and publishing intimate images of her, at the same location, over two dates earlier this year.
He replied "guilty" when arraigned on the two counts, under sections 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and 2 of the Harassment and Harmful Communications Act.
John Hayden SC, defending, said his client had been "in the throes of heavy cocaine and ketamine addiction".
Mr Hayden said the man had been in employment from a young age, but during the Covid pandemic and when he was out of work, he started abusing cocaine and was under pressure.
The court heard he had been in a relationship with the woman but had taken steps to self-rehabilitate and was attending psychological counselling and a drug treatment programme.
The defence said the man is now drug-free and asked the court to order a probation report for more insight into him.
Judge Connolly agreed to seek the pre-sanction report and also a spousal assault risk assessment, as well as a victim impact statement.
The facts of the case will be heard later. He will appear again in July.
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