Husband arrested for assault in Donegal told gardaí: ‘I just gave her one slap’

A man who told gardaí ‘I just gave her one slap’ has been arrested and charged with assaulting his wife and causing her harm. 

The defendant was brought before a recent court sitting in Donegal, having just been arrested by gardaí. 

He is charged that on February 10 at an address in Donegal, he assaulted a female causing her harm. The offence is contrary to Section 3(1) and 3(2) of the non-fatal offences against the Persons Act 1997.

The arresting garda told the court that the incident had taken place earlier that morning in the home where the couple were cohabitating. 

“He took the injured party to the garda station, where we took a statement,” said the garda.

“I arrested and charged the defendant. After caution, he said, ‘I just gave her one slap.’”

The court heard that the defendant was on bail for an unrelated, non-violent matter. 

Accommodation was being sought for the injured party, the court heard, as other tenants had a family connection to her husband. 

The defendant was released on bail of €400 with a cash bond of €200 on condition that he stay away from the injured party; have no telephone contact or any contact by electronic means including text, email and social media; surrender his passport and not apply for travel documents; be of good behaviour; sign on twice-weekly at a named garda station; provide a telephone number be contactable at all times.

He was remanded to appear in court again later this month. Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are awaited. 

Neither party is being named in order to protect the identity of the victim.