Longford Circuit Court: Two year prison sentence for brutal assault

A man who was given a two year prison sentence with the final six months suspended for the brutal assault of his ex partner has had half of that suspended term immediately revoked after spitting and verbally abusing the woman as he was led away by prison officers.
Michael Purcell (23), of 108 MacEoin Park, Farnagh, Longford, appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court last week, where evidence was given of how he brutally assaulted his ex-partner while she was 37 weeks pregnant with their child.

Judge Connolly proceeded to sentence Mr Purcell to two years in prison with the final six months suspended for 12 months. As Mr Purcell was being led away, he spat at the injured party, telling her “you’re nothing but dirt”.
Immediately afterwards, state prosecutor Shane Geraghty BL told Judge Connolly he had to bring the court’s attention to something, calling Sergeant Aisling Flynn to give evidence of what she had just witnessed in court.
“When Michael Purcell was being led away, he spat at the injured party,” she said.

“That’s not helpful,” Judge Connolly remarked.
When Mr Purcell was brought back before the judge moments later, he denied spitting at his ex partner and told the court “I was talking to my father”.
“If I find that that (the spitting) has happened, I will revoke the suspended portion of your sentence. It looks like you’ve talked yourself into another six months in prison, so well done Mr Purcell,” said Judge Connolly.
“No problem,” Mr Purcell replied as he was once again led away by the prison officers.

When a section 99 re-entry was heard on Wednesday morning, and an apology furnished to the court, Judge Connolly opted to revoke three months of the six month suspended term, meaning Mr Purcell’s sentence will be two years with the final three months suspended for 12 months.