A FORMER Nottingham Forest and Republic of Ireland soccer player, Miah Dennehy (46), was sentenced in Cork District Court to six months in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting his wife and a garda sergeant.
Ms Caroline Dennehy, who has a five year old child and a six week old baby, said she did not normally go out with her husband because of his violence. However, on May 23rd last, she went with him for a few drinks. There was an incident in the pub and she got a taxi home. When Dennehy arrived back, he assaulted her.
Last week, he threatened to kill her when he came to their home. She told the court she had a problem with her husband taking their five year old child to the pub for hours and she was now taking proceedings against him under the Family Law Act.
She said she had been threatened last week by her husband's brother, Patrick, when she told him she would not stand by her husband but would give evidence against him in court.
Garda Liam Farrell told the court he was called to the Dennehy's home at Carbery Grove, Knocknaheeney, in the early hours of May 23rd. When he arrived, Ms Dennehy was very distressed, having been thrown out of the house and kicked on the head by her husband. Dennehy was very aggressive and pushed Sgt Michael O'Donoghue, saying he wanted to go upstairs to see his child.
He again called to the house last week after Dennehy appeared in court. Ms Deanehy was again distressed and crying and Miah Deanehy was upstairs.
Dennehy's solicitor, Mr Frank Buttimer, said his client had brought honour to Cork and Ireland as a footballer and was one of the best known sportsmen in the city. He apologised for what had happened and said he knew nothing of his brother's threats to his wife. Later, he told the court his client was appalled by the jail sentence and would appeal it.