Man charged with assaulting woman - just hours after he was due to stand trial

A man was charged with assaulting a complainant in a court case - just hours after a jury was sworn in for a trial.

Damian Zygmunt subsequently tendered guilty pleas to charges he was due to stand trial on at Letterkenny Circuit Court. 

The 32-year-old, with an address at Riverside View, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, has been remanded in custody having been charged with assaulting the woman and causing her harm at an address in Letterkenny.

The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday, May 27. Earlier that day, a jury was selected for a trial, but on May 28 he was brought before Glenties District Court, charged with assault causing harm - contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 - and remanded in custody.

The jury was sent home on Wednesday and when Zygmunt was brought to court on Thursday by prison officers from Castlerea Prison his legal team informed Judge John Aylmer that he would now be pleading guilty.

Zygmunt was re-arraigned in front of the jury having previously pleaded not guilty 48 hours earlier. 

Zygmunt pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman and causing her harm at Mark House, Stranorlar, on March 20, 2022.  He also pleaded guilty to a criminal damage charge, relating to a television belonging to the woman at the same location.

Zygmunt was also charged with assaulting the woman and causing her harm on March 19, 2022 at Riverside View, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny and with falsely imprisoning her at the same location on the same date. These could be marked as taken into consideration, State barrister Ms Fiona Crawford BL told the court. 

Judge Aylmer told the jury that there was no further need for their service and the matter would proceed to sentencing. Judge Aylmer said he was “very grateful” to the jury for their time and patience and outlined the importance of citizens partaking in jury service.

Mr Peter Nolan BL, barrister for Zygmunt, said his client has “a number of previous convictions” and told Judge Aylmer that a probation report would be of use to the court.

“He has other charges he is now facing for which he is detained,” Mr Nolan said.

Ms Crawford sought to have Zygmunt remanded in custody and Mr Nolan said there is “no reality” regarding bail. 

Judge Aylmer requested a probation and welfare report, to include an assessment on suitability for community service.

The case was adjourned until July.