Man broke partner’s ribs for failing to make dinner

A man who broke his partner’s ribs when she failed to cook his dinner has pleaded guilty to assault.

Matthew Drohan, of 14 Beal Srutha, Ballybane, Galway, denied a charge of assaulting his partner of 15 years because he believed she was too afraid to give evidence at Galway Circuit Criminal Court in January.

However, just before the trial was due to begin, Drohan heard gardaí were bringing the woman to court to give evidence against him and immediately changed his plea.

Gardaí found the victim battered and bruised when they got a call to go to their home at 11pm on Dec 5, 2010. They noticed a pool of her blood in the corner of the kitchen.

She said Drohan had punched her in the face and head when she had not prepared dinner that evening. He continued to kick her in the face, head, and body when she fell to the floor.

Gardaí took her to hospital, where she was treated for two fractured ribs and severe bruising to her face and head.

Drohan told gardaí he lost his temper when his partner broke the ceramic hob on the cooker and he did not get his dinner.

Drohan, the court heard, had a drink problem and had 15 previous convictions, including four for breaches of barring orders.

Judge Raymond Groarke noted the woman was still with Drohan. “This is a woman who is well used to being beaten,” he said, remanding Drohan in custody until May 3.