Assaulted stepsister

Joseph Hugh Mooney (28), of River Glade Manor, was ordered by District Judge Philip Mateer, at Friday’s court to do 80 hours community service.

Mr Mateer also imposed a 12-month period of probation, with the specific requirement that Mooney should attend an anger management programme.

A Public Prosecution Service lawyer said the assault took place on October 16, 2008, and he said police found the injured party in a distressed state, and complaining that she had been assaulted by her stepbrother.

Defending solicitor Mr Conor Downey, said it had been a completely unsavoury state of affairs. However, he said the injured party has forgiven her stepbrother for his behaviour on this occasion.

Mr Downey said Mooney has a favourable employment history as a joiner, and he said it was the defendant’s intention to return to England, as there are several jobs available there.

District Judge Mateer said it was commendable that the victim had forgiven Mooney, and that the family unit has re-connected. However, he had to reflect the seriousness of the offence by imposing community service and a probation order.