MAN WHO LEFT PREGNANT FIANCÉE WITH LASTING BRAIN DAMAGE JAILED
A man who violently assaulted his pregnant fiancée by kicking and stamping on her head 17 times during a brutal and unprovoked drinking-induced attack has been sentenced to 11 years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended.During the sentencing at Cavan Circuit Court today, Judge John Aylmer noted that Dempsey, aged 28, had pleaded guilty despite clear and compelling evidence.
The judge described the incident as a "persistent and sustained attack." The victim, Sonia Lee, was left with permanent brain damage after the assault, which took place at the bottom of a stairwell at Cavan Town's Chilli Lounge just before St.
Patrick's Day in 2018.
Representing Dempsey was Eamon O'Moore BL.
The judge stated that CCTV footage of the assault was "difficult viewing." It was only while Ms.
Lee was fighting for her life in the hospital—having sustained facial fractures and brain hemorrhaging—that it was revealed she was 15 weeks pregnant.
Despite her severe injuries, which required ten days in a coma in intensive care, Ms.
Lee successfully gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
The victim’s sister, Aisling Lee, previously told the court that Sonia Lee would never be able to live independently again or properly care for her young child without ongoing support.
Dempsey, who formerly lived with Ms.
Lee, a mother of two, at 134 Aughnaskerry Drive in Cavan, is now detained at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin.
Last week, the court heard mitigating circumstances presented by Roisin Lacey SC, instructed by Alice Heron of MS Solicitors, who defended Dempsey.
She explained that the loss of his mother led to increasing substance abuse and violent tendencies.
Ms.
Lacey highlighted Dempsey’s "very early plea," entered at the first opportunity, and described his relationship with Ms.
Lee as "meaningful." An audible tut from the courtroom gallery, where several members of Ms.
Lee’s family were present, responded to Ms.
Lacey’s apology on his behalf, expressing remorse "to Sonia, their child, and her extended family." Ms.
Lacey said Dempsey had little or no memory of the event, and the main explanation for his behavior was his intoxication at the time.
She pointed to his Garda interview, during which he expressed disgust and remorse, calling himself a "scumbag" and indicating that watching the CCTV was distressing for him.
He claimed he had no recollection of how the altercation started or what it was about.
His remorse was described as "heartfelt." The barrister also noted his immediate response after fleeing the scene, where he asked a taxi rank operator to summon an ambulance, and his expressed confusion with the question, "What am I after doing?" From a family of eight, Dempsey also has a daughter from another relationship and is anxious to maintain that connection.
He has previously lived abroad in the UK, then in Roscommon, followed by Dublin, before residing in Cavan for just over a year and a half before the assault.
Ms.
Lacey explained that the death of his mother in 2009 was a turning point for Dempsey, leading to a worsening association with drugs and alcohol, spiraling into addiction.
By around 2013, he was abusing heroin along with antidepressants.
Currently, he is engaging positively in prison, attending all available courses, remaining drug-free, and seeing a counselor.
Several character references were submitted, including one from a psychiatric nurse who observed Dempsey’s eagerness to address his addiction issues and recommended a sixteen-month residential program.
A letter from Peter McVerry described him as "very committed" to overcoming his addiction.
Family members—his sister and brother—also provided letters emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and reflecting on how their mother’s passing affected him.
Additionally, former colleagues submitted supportive letters.
There was also a letter from Dempsey himself addressed directly to the judge, which is currently missing, along with an apology letter he wrote to Ms.
Lee.
Since his initial detention following the attack on March 16, two years ago, Dempsey has served roughly 27 months behind bars.
Ms.
Lacey asked the court to consider giving her client as much credit as possible for this time and emphasized the importance of providing him with hope for rehabilitation and future rehabilitation prospects.
