On 21st June 2010, Gillian Mills had been walking along Tallaght High Street when Darren Byrne viciously attacked her by grabbing her by the hair and throwing her against a wall.  Byrne, aged 39, with an address at Kilmartin Avenue, Tallaght, had pleaded not guilty to assaulting Ms Mills on the above date.

Judge McDonnell had convicted Byrne of the assault.  He was before the court for a presentence report.  Byrne's solicitor, Mr. Michael Hennessy, said that gardai could confirm that there had been no further incidents.  He added that his client has followed the Probation Services advice and was getting treatment for drugs and is receiving bereavement counselling.  Mr. Hennessy asked the judge to deal with the case in a non-custodial fashion as he felt a prison sentence would "only fan the flames".  He also pointed out that there had been no injuries sustained by the victim.

Judge McDonnell noted that Byrne has four previous convictions for robbery, assault and burglary.  He said that Byrne had been convicted of an assault and sentenced Byrne to five months imprisonment.