A Lurgan man who assaulted his partner and two daughters has been handed a conditional discharge for two years.
In sentencing the 51-year-old, the deputy district judge stated: “I do want to make it clear that I do not condone this behaviour. There is no such thing as low level domestic violence.”
Michael Dwyer Grogan, of Kilmaine Street, appeared for sentencing on attempted criminal damage and three counts of common assault at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on March 19, at 11.50pm, police received a 999 call from one of the complainants. She claimed her partner – the defendant – was intoxicated and causing a disturbance.
Officers spoke with Grogan’s partner. She stated that the defendant had returned from working in England and had been consuming alcohol.
This injured party said that Grogan had thrown a wine bottle at her, which missed, and that he had then gone outside and punched her car windows but caused no damage.
The defendant then re-entered the property and he threw drawers from the fridge at his partner.
He is then said to have pushed him arm against his 16-year-old daughter and to have pushed another daughter in order to get to their mother.
The two managed to get Grogan out of the room, they then locked the door and turned the lights off, whilst their mother contacted police.
Grogan was conveyed to Lurgan Custody Suite, and an interview was conducted on March 20, and during this the defendant provided mostly no comment to the questions put to him.
Defence solicitor Joe Rafferty informed court that Grogan did have contact with his daughters but his relationship of 24 years with his partner had “completely broken down”.
Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes stated: “This is a tragic case…. Mr Grogan there is never an excuse for violence, especially in a domestic circumstance and especially in relation to your wife and children.
“They must have been so frightened……but I have read the presentence report, this is not you, you are a caring, loving family man who has worked all of his life.”
He added: “In sentencing, I do want to make it clear that I do not condone this behaviour, there is no such thing as low level domestic violence.”
Deputy District Judge Holmes also warned the defendant that any repeat of such an offence would be taken very seriously by the court.
Grogan was handed a conditional discharge for a period of two years.
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