Man tried to suffocate partner’s elderly mother with pillow in nursing home while shouting ‘die bitch, die'

Judge commended victim for her compassion towards her daughter's partner who, he said, had attacked the pensioner 'like a man possessed'

Peter Keaney (54) of Hillside Close, Monksland, Athlone, Co Roscommon, was jailed for three and a half years at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court on Friday. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk

A man who attacked and tried to suffocate his partner's elderly mother with a pillow in a nursing home while shouting, "Die bitch, die," has been jailed for three and a half years.

Judge Keenan Johnson described Peter Keaney, aged 55, as being "like a man possessed" during the incident at the Sonas retirement home, Ballymahon Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath, shortly before 8pm on April 29, 2024.