Five years for assault on pregnant ex-partner

A man who launched a violent attack on his heavily pregnant former girlfriend has been given the maximum sentence of five years.

Judge Patrick McCartan noted there was “little to be said” for Daniel Prenderville, 26, after he failed to offer an explanation or apologise for the assault.

Prenderville is currently serving a six-year sentence for possession of a firearm and has 33 convictions for offences, including a second assault on the woman.

Prenderville, formerly of Rutland Avenue, was convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last December of assaulting the woman at Crumlin Rd on October 2, 2011.

Judge McCartan said it was evident Prenderville fought the case on the basis that the victim would not have the courage to give evidence. She was brought to court for the trial but did not give evidence. Her original statement to gardaí was given in evidence instead, using a legal provision.

Judge McCartan said the offence was at the top end of the scale and imposed a five-year sentence backdated to the conviction date of December 10, 2013.

The victim had been socialising when she met Prenderville and he assaulted her. She had broken off the relationship about three weeks earlier and was heavily pregnant at the time.

She went on to have a healthy baby.