Woman, 72, was punched after Mass

A father of two who punched a 72-year-old woman on her way home from Mass has been jailed for two and a half years.

Andrew Smith, aged 31, was one of three men who took part in the attack. The woman, who suffered two black eyes and cuts to her face, was described as hysterical and bleeding profusely when she later arrived at a Garda station.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard there had been a history of animosity between the families.

Smith, of South Richmond St, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman at Oranmore Rd, Ballyfermot, on March 7.

Judge Martin Nolan told Smith the attack would have been bad enough had it involved a man his own age but “to beat up an old lady coming home from Mass was deeply reprehensible”.

Judge Nolan said he was taking into account Smith’s good work history and the steps he had taken to reform himself, including anger management. He imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence.

Garda Padraig O’Mara told Eilis Brennan, prosecuting, that the woman was walking home at about 6.30pm with two women of similar age when Smith’s mother approached and began shouting abuse at her.

The woman said she would call gardaí if Smith’s mother hit her and the group walked on.

She then felt herself being pushed up against a wall and was assaulted by three men. Smith was in the middle and punched her in the face.

Garda O’Mara agreed with Emmett Nolan, defending, that the parties were known to each other and there was a history of animosity.

Mr Nolan said Smith was deeply remorseful and wished to offer an unqualified apology to the woman.