A shocking incident of domestic violence has come to light, involving a heavyweight boxer from the Irish Navy team. The victim, a woman from Limerick, Ireland, endured a ferocious assault that left her with a permanent displacement of her eye. The harrowing account of the incident reveals the fear and pain she experienced.
The accused, David O’Gorman, aged 37, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at an address in Limerick in May 2020. The court heard that the victim had been in an intermittent relationship with O’Gorman since 2013. O’Gorman, who is a petty officer with the Navy, based in Haulbowline, Co Cork, had been drinking heavily on the night of the assault.
On the day of the incident, O’Gorman offered to pick up the victim from her friend’s house. She accepted the offer and went home after getting a lift. However, an argument broke out between them when they arrived home. O’Gorman’s mood deteriorated rapidly, and he turned violent.
In a terrifying sequence of events, O’Gorman slammed the victim against a wardrobe, causing her to fall to the ground. He then proceeded to punch her repeatedly in the head with both hands, landing at least five to 10 blows. The victim, in immense pain and bleeding, feared for her life as the assault was relentless and ferocious.
It is worth noting that O’Gorman is an accomplished heavyweight boxer who represents the Irish Navy boxing team. This adds to the severity of the assault and the trauma endured by the victim.
After the assault, O’Gorman called for an ambulance, attempting to downplay the situation as a domestic issue. Meanwhile, the victim alerted a male friend about the attack. When the friend arrived, he found O’Gorman sitting on the steps outside the house, expressing remorse and repeatedly saying that he couldn’t believe what he had done.
The victim’s injuries were severe, including a fractured eye socket and bruises on her face and body. Reconstruction surgery left her with a scar, and her eye has changed position, resulting in a permanent displacement. The victim now struggles with her self-confidence and is unable to smile without feeling conscious of her eye’s appearance.
During the court proceedings, an emotional victim impact statement was read out, describing how her life has been forever changed by the assault. The statement emphasized that the accused had sworn he would never harm her. The victim now faces a constant reminder of the trauma she endured every time she looks in the mirror.
The defense barrister expressed deep regret on behalf of O’Gorman and offered an unreserved apology for his actions. He highlighted that his client, who has no prior convictions, is engaging with support services to address his behavior.
Judge Tom O’Donnell, acknowledging the seriousness of the matter and the concerning prevalence of domestic violence, adjourned the case until November for the completion of a comprehensive report from the Probation Service.
This distressing case sheds light on the devastating impact of domestic violence and serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address this issue. The hope is that justice will prevail, providing support and closure to the victim while also ensuring that the perpetrator faces the appropriate consequences for his actions.
