CORK, IRELAND – A farmer from Inniscarra, County Cork, was sentenced to two and a half years in jail for assaulting his 64-year-old neighbor over a 25-year period. Hugh O’Brien, 52, was known for his continuous verbal outbursts during the sentencing hearing, which led to his removal from the courtroom. Despite being convicted of assault causing harm to Mary O’Brien Daly, O’Brien continued with his disruptive behavior, even referring to a garda as ‘crooked and corrupt.’ He watched the remainder of the hearing via video link from another room.
The assault on Mrs. O’Brien Daly, which occurred in December 2021, left her with various injuries, including a mini-stroke and broken heart syndrome. The incident unfolded when O’Brien accused her of stealing his mother’s post for over two decades while she was making Christmas puddings. The attack was described as sustained and unprovoked, lasting six minutes in broad daylight.
O’Brien’s neighbor, Mrs. O’Brien Daly, detailed the frightening encounter with the farmer, expressing how she feared for her life as he assaulted her. Despite redirecting mail meant for O’Brien’s mother to the correct recipient, she became the target of his baseless accusations and violent outburst. The impact of the assault left her with physical injuries and psychological trauma, altering the peace of her home.
During the sentencing, Judge Colin Daly took into account O’Brien’s prior convictions for assault and emphasized the severity of the unprovoked attack on a vulnerable woman in her own home. Despite the defendant’s elaborate behavior and outbursts throughout the trial, he was found guilty by a jury and sentenced accordingly. O’Brien’s lack of remorse and ongoing disruptive behavior in court led to his removal and eventual sentencing.
In her victim impact statement, Mrs. O’Brien Daly spoke of the lasting effects of the assault on her life and expressed genuine fear of O’Brien. The judge imposed a three-year sentence, with the last six months suspended, considering the defendant’s family circumstances. O’Brien’s actions not only caused physical harm but also triggered a series of medical events for Mrs. O’Brien Daly, highlighting the profound impact of the assault on her well-being.