Cork man faces sentence for spear-tackling wife

A woman was caught by the neck, turned upside down and spear-tackled head first into the ground by her husband outside a nightclub. Yesterday, he was remanded in custody for sentencing.

Daniel Spencer, aged 30, formerly of Tír Cluain, Cloyne, Co Cork, and now living in Macroom, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to his wife Sarah Egan outside a nightclub at Hanover St, Cork, shortly before 2am on April 7.

Donal McCarthy, defending, said of the accused and the victim: “They are husband and wife, back together again, surprisingly enough.”

Det Garda Niall Comerford said the assault was witnessed by members of the public. Security staff at Rearden’s held onto Spencer until gardaí arrived.

Ms Egan had severe head injuries and was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, he said.

Describing the assault, he said Spencer caught her in a head-lock and threw her to the ground. The evidence earlier this year at Cork District Court was that Spencer had spear-tackled her head first into the ground, following an argument.

The detective said yesterday that the accused had 13 previous convictions for crimes, including assaults in 2009, 2006 and 2002.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin referred to these previous assault convictions when he adjourned sentencing to November 27, with the accused remanded in custody until then.

“I wish to consider it further,” the judge said.

The judge was told the injured party was scarred, but the scars had healed well.