Ashford, County Wicklow – A pensioner has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for a violent assault on his then 97-year-old wife at their family home last year with an object believed to be his walking stick. The accused, Tom Harte, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to his wife, which took place on May 6, 2023, near Ashford, Co Wicklow. The attack involved pushing his victim down a six-foot drop into a ditch while she was cutting briars in their garden.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the victim had to extricate herself from the overgrown area without any assistance from her husband, only to be struck on the head multiple times with the alleged walking stick. Despite the couple previously having no history of domestic violence and maintaining a good relationship, the incident shocked the community.
Detective Garda Frank Gunter shared the victim’s account of the events, where she described feeling a hand pushing her down while she was working in the garden, leading to a fall into a briar-filled area. After enduring significant physical harm, the victim was able to seek help from a neighbor, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Harte’s behavior raised further concerns when he allegedly faked a seizure upon the arrival of authorities, attempting to deflect blame for the assault. The court also heard that Harte denied any involvement in the incident, claiming memory issues and seizures possibly related to epilepsy medication.
The sentencing judge emphasized the heinous nature of the assault, considering the victim’s age and the fact that it occurred in their family home. Despite the absence of a clear motive, the judge noted that Harte’s actions displayed a malicious intent to harm his wife, viewing his behavior as a form of false imprisonment.
In response to the prosecution’s arguments, Harte ultimately accepted responsibility for the assault. As part of his sentencing, the judge imposed a 12-month prison term, with the final two months suspended on the condition of no contact with his wife for a decade following his release. Harte was granted bail to settle his affairs before commencing his sentence, as the community grappled with the shocking events that transpired in their midst.