Father of two jailed for knocking out woman's teeth with hammer

A father of two has been jailed for knocking his ex-partner's teeth out with a hammer.

Brian Dunleavy of Ballybough House apartment complex in Dublin had to be pepper-sprayed by gardaí after he wrecked the woman's apartment and refused to put down the hammer.

Louise Rafferty was left with a black eye, bruising and broken teeth after the attack which occurred during a drinking session in her flat.

Dunleavy - who has 60 previous convictions - pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and using a hammer in an assault on July 1st, 2011.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced the 36-year-old to three years in jail, with 18 months suspended.

She said it was a cowardly attack and told Dunleavy he was lucky he had not killed Ms Rafferty or left her in a vegetative state.