Courts / Dublin / Report
No jail for man who threatened to kill and throw acid on woman's face
Summary
Jack Cleary, 25, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill Leanne Maher and to harassment. He had no prior convictions. Evidence showed he threatened to throw acid at Maher's face and kill her during a phone call after their relationship ended, and later appeared outside her home, making further threats. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, suspended for four years, with conditions that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months and avoid any contact with Maher or her family home within 500 metres. The judge noted Cleary's mental health difficulties and his subsequent re‑engagement with services, granting credit for his early guilty plea and lack of prior convictions. The sentence was fully suspended, with no custodial term imposed. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No jail for man who threatened to kill and throw acid on woman's face. Charges or matters: threatening kill Leanne Maher on July 15, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 15, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2019 Other
- September 2019 Other
- June 2020 Other
- July 22, 2020 Other
- Christmas Other
- 2022-03-22 Publication
Why: Cleary told her the only reason her home "was not in rubble" was because he knew her daughter slept in the same room as her. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: threatening kill Leanne Maher on July 15, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Cleary to four years in prison but suspended it for four years on condition that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months and not have any contact, either directly or indirectly, with Ms Maher or come within 500 meters of her family home for those four years.; Judge Melanie Greally had previously adjourned the case having heard evidence because she said there were "very concerning aspects" of Cleary's behaviour.
Places mentioned
Topics
Harassment Stalking Stage Sentence
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