A Dublin man who launched a violent attack on his heavily pregnant former girlfriend has been given the maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Judge Patrick McCartan noted there was “little to be said” for Daniel Prenderville (26) after he failed to offer an explanation or apologise for the assault.
Prenderville is currently serving a six-year sentence for possession of a firearm and has 33 convictions for offences, including a second assault on the same woman.
Prenderville, formerly of Rutland Avenue, Crumlin, was convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last December of assaulting the woman at Crumlin Road on October 2nd, 2011.
Judge McCartan said it was evident that Prenderville had contested the case on the basis that the victim would not have the courage to come to court to give evidence.
The victim was brought to court for the trial but did not give evidence. Her original statement to gardaí was given in evidence to the jury instead, using a legal provision for this purpose.