A CORK man who was in a biker gang in Australia, and served sentences there for serious crimes, carried out a prolonged assault on his partner in Carrigaline — and the officer who investigated it believes the accused “will kill her if he gets out”.
Shane Carroll, aged 53, threatened to kill the woman, kill her dogs by cutting their throats, and burn the house down.
Judge Helen Boyle sentenced him to three years and nine months, with the last six months suspended, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Carroll, who had been living at Beechwood Court, Carrigaline, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm, causing criminal damage, and theft.
Sergeant Declan Healy described in court the background to the violent crime.
“At 6.30pm on October 18, 2023, gardaí at Carrigaline got a call to Beechwood Court in Carrigaline. A young woman said her mother called and told her to contact the gardaí for help.
“Gardaí met the injured party, who had visible bruising and swelling to her face and blood all over her face and was in obvious fear. She said her partner Shane Carroll had assaulted her and was upstairs. Gardaí at the scene advised her to go to a neighbour’s house.
“He was arrested for assault causing harm and he was handcuffed and conveyed to Togher Garda Station,” he said.
“In the meantime, the injured party made a statement to gardaí. She outlined that earlier that day she got up at midday. She said she had been in pain from a fall in an unrelated incident the previous day. She said she spoke to Shane Carroll about spending time together and he became extremely abusive and aggressive.
“He squeezed so hard around her neck she was unable to breathe. He threatened to kill her and her dog and to burn down the house. He hit her with his fists and kept shouting threats and abuse.
“He took a hand-held vanity mirror and broke it over her. In doing so he received a cut to his hand. She fled to her bedroom.
“He followed her and punched her with his fist and threatened her not to tell anyone. There were blood stains all over her face. He took possession of her phone to stop her ringing for help,” said Sgt Healy.
“When he found there was no beer in the fridge he ordered her to accompany him to the off-licence. When he was in the shop getting the beer she was trembling and afraid she would have a fit while she was in the car.
“When he got back he shook her violently, trying to get her to stop. After getting beer he squeezed a beer can and spilled the contents on the floor. He spat at her and hit her. He assaulted her with her phone — he held the phone against her throat. He hit her in the face. She was afraid for her life.
“He told her she would not be allowed out for a week so that no one would see the injuries to her face.
“He hit his fist against the wall, which injured his hand. When he was distracted by this, it allowed her to contact her daughter, who contacted gardaí.
“When Shane Carroll was interviewed, over two interviews, he made no admissions. Later he said, ‘30% of what was in it [statement of complaint] is true, the rest is piffle’.”
Carroll is originally from Cork and in his late teens he went to Australia, where he got involved with a biker group.
He received a seven-year sentence for a kidnap-related offence in Australia and five years for aggravated driving causing death.
The victim in the present case was not known to gardaí before her report of this assault on her.
Sgt Healy said: “My own opinion is if he gets out he will kill her.”
There was a defence objection to the expression of such an opinion. Judge Boyle said she would disregard it.
Carroll is very volatile and has serious anger issues, said Sgt Healy. “When he is triggered you don’t need to be getting in his way.”
