Cork woman repeatedly punched by boyfriend who hijacked car 'felt close to losing her life'

The man was sentenced to three years with the last 18 months suspended after he pleaded guilty to a total of 10 charges against him

Judge Dermot Sheehan said the accused 'was so out of control'. File photo

A young woman who was punched repeatedly in the face by a boyfriend who hijacked her car has been left traumatised by the feeling that she could have lost her life in the violent attack.

The victim said she was profoundly affected in ways she would never have anticipated. “I cannot forget the feeling of being treated like a punching bag and how close I came to possibly losing my life. If the people across the street had not heard me, things could have been much different. I can never forget the trauma,” she said.

28-year-old Darragh Gill of Farnastack, Lisselton, County Kerry, was sentenced to three years with the last 18 months suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to a total of 10 charges against him arising out of the hijacking of the young woman’s car assaulting her and driving it dangerously to Mallow where it was only brought to a stop when a stinger device deployed by gardaí disabled the car.

Defence barrister Mahon Corkery said the accused had no previous convictions for anything like assault causing harm. “He asked me to express his apologies and his shame for his actions,” he said.

Garda testimony

Detective Garda Eoghain O’Callaghan testified: “On December 6, 2023, gardaí responded to a call where it was reported that a woman had her white Audi A3 hijacked by a man outside O’Herlihy’s Centra on Curraheen Road, Cork, shortly before 7pm.

“The man had left the scene in the vehicle and all units were notified. The young woman had a large bump to her forehead and an ambulance was called. She was not required to attend hospital for treatment. She had bruises and lumps on her head.

“She told gardaí that while driving, Darragh Gill was in the vehicle with her and was intoxicated. She alleged he became aggressive with her and that she drove to the Centra where she parked outside for safety. She alleged that he punched her in the head and grabbed her hair while in the car.

“A shopkeeper stated that he observed a man punching a woman in the white Audi outside the shop and he therefore proceeded to help her out of the vehicle and take her inside the shop to safety.

“He drove off in the car without her consent and hit another parked car while doing so and failed to remain at the scene. He caused damage to the car. It was all captured on CCTV.

“The stolen vehicle was stopped following a pursuit in Mallow later in the night following the deployment of a stinger device. He fled the scene and was apprehended a short time later at Mallow train station.” 

Judge's ruling

Judge Dermot Sheehan said: “The centre of the case is the assault causing harm. He took her vehicle without her permission, driving it without licence or insurance and failing to remain at the scene of the incident.

“I have been listening to Det. Garda O’Callaghan and what happened to the injured party. She was in a casual relationship with the accused. She was entitled to feel safe in his company… She managed to escape with the assistance of other persons. 

"She was very upset by what she experienced. He was so out of control he drove up to Doneraile where he abandoned the car, punctured by stinger.” The judge noted that the injured party was very sad and still frightened and filled with anxiety.

Mr Corkery said the accused was ashamed and apologetic. He had a complex history, having attended at mental health services.

The judge said: “I believe custodial sentence is warranted — three years with the last 18 months suspended.”

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.