MAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND COERCIVE CONTROL OF HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND
A young man, aged 21, who historically threatened, sexually assaulted, and physically harmed his then-teenage girlfriend over a span of two years, was sentenced to two years in prison.Martin Tracey, residing on Pearse Street in Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including coercive control, assault causing injury, false imprisonment, and sexual assault, relating to incidents between October 2020 and January 31, 2022.
He has no prior criminal record.
His former partner, Donna Clifford, also 21, chose to waive her anonymity after the sentencing at the Central Criminal Court so that her abuser could be publicly named.
Judge Melanie Greally praised Ms Clifford for her bravery in coming forward, highlighting that coercive control is often linked with more mature, longer relationships but should not be tolerated regardless of age.
The judge acknowledged Ms Clifford’s courage in reporting the abuse and wished her well moving forward.
Garda Cian O’Connor informed the court that Ms Clifford contacted authorities in January 2022, revealing she had endured physical and emotional abuse, including several assaults, during her two-year relationship with Tracey.
Audio recordings of messages Tracey, then a teenager, sent to Ms Clifford were played in court during an earlier hearing.
Judge Greally described the messages' language as violent and disturbing, though she did not repeat the content during sentencing.
The messages included severe threats, encouraging her to take her own life and threatening harm.
The judge noted Tracey claimed he did not genuinely intend his threats, yet observed that the tone and content of the messages suggested serious intent.
The police described incidents where Ms Clifford was attacked in public, with Tracey pinning her against a wall and choking her, as well as assaults at his family home, including punching her in the stomach.
She was also sexually assaulted and held against her will in his bedroom, with Tracey demanding constant updates on her whereabouts and insisting her Snapchat location always be active for monitoring.
Ms Clifford’s victim impact statement detailed how the abuse affected her mental health, causing her to lose interest in school, hobbies, and social interactions.
She reported severe anxiety, flashbacks, panic attacks, and feelings of unsafety.
She expressed confusion over how a person who claimed to love her could commit such acts.
Judge Greally described her statement as a vivid account of the profound harm inflicted.
In assessing Tracey’s culpability, she noted the harm was emotional and psychological, as there was no evidence of physical injuries.
Tracey started the abusive behavior at age 17 and continued until nearly 19.
The court considered his youth and immaturity, placing the coercive control charge at the high end of seriousness, with the sexual assault and false imprisonment charges considered less severe.
She sentenced him to a total of four years in prison, with concurrent sentences of three years and a one-year suspension, conditioned upon strict probation and participation in therapeutic programs for domestic violence and sexual offending.
Earlier, the prosecution acknowledged Tracey’s good character before the offenses and his expressions of remorse.
His mental health issues, particularly anxiety and social anxiety, were discussed, along with his efforts or attempts to reduce substance use, such as alcohol and cannabis.
The court highlighted the importance of addressing his risk of reoffending, given the psychological profile and lack of clear motivation.
Counsel requested leniency, citing his cooperation and background, and emphasised his acknowledgment of responsibility through his guilty plea and remorseful actions.
The judge recognized the positive steps taken but underscored the need to balance punishment with the potential for rehabilitation, resulting in a sentence that reflects both accountability and the possibility of future improvement.
