Donegal chiropractor gets five years for burglary and assault of ex-girlfriend

A Donegal chiropractor who broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home and then assaulted her has been sentenced to five years in prison at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
On April 4th 2010, 33 year year old Helen McEvily was at home after a night out when 46 year old Kevin Ginty climbed in through her sitting room window. She managed to leave the house and call the gardaí, but Ginty then wrapped his arm around her neck and dragged her back into the house.
Ginty of St Columbas Terrace, Letterkenny had pleaded guilty to burglary and assault.
In a statement to the court last week, Ms McEvily told the court that a part of her did not survive that night, and everything in her life now revolves around the fact that she was attacked.
She said she has since moved house and has installed personal alarms, telling the court that this incident has prevented from moving on with her life. “To me I am no longer living”, she said, “I survive”.
Mr Justice Paul Carney said he was taking into account the fact that the accused pleaded guilty and that there was a lack of “any relevant” previous convictions.
However, he said he was also taking into consideration the fact the incident had a serious effect on the victim.
“A woman is entitled to rely on the safety and security of her own bed in her home,” said the judge.
He imposed a five-year jail sentence, backdated to last Monday, when the defendant went into custody.

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