Athlone, Ireland – Ben Curry of Fossagh, Mount Temple, Moate, Co Westmeath, faced court proceedings in connection to two violent incidents in Longford while out on bail. The assaults on two women occurred on January 1 and May 23 at two different locations. In both instances, Curry pleaded guilty to charges of violent assault and robbery, culminating in significant physical and emotional harm to his victims.
During the court proceedings, details emerged of Curry’s brutal attacks on the two young women. The first victim, whom Curry had met only a few weeks prior, endured a traumatic assault in her student apartment. Curry’s violent actions included physical battery, threats with knives, and psychological manipulation. The second victim, whom he had met at a pub, suffered a similar fate, facing physical violence and robbery at Athlone Town Centre.
The court heard harrowing accounts of the assaults, including Curry’s use of knives, threats to amputate body parts, and the theft of belongings. The victims recounted their ongoing fear and trauma following the attacks, expressing concerns for their safety and well-being. Judge Keenan Johnson expressed deep empathy for the victims and condemned Curry’s actions as a severe breach of trust and decency.
Curry’s defense cited his troubled past, including a history of violence and anger management issues, as contributing factors to his crimes. Despite his early guilty plea and expressions of remorse, Judge Johnson deemed Curry’s offenses as grave and deserving of severe consequences. The court handed down a seven-year sentence, to be served consecutively for both incidents, with the possibility of suspension under strict conditions.
As Curry awaited sentencing, the victims grappled with the lasting impact of the assaults, with one expressing ongoing anxiety and distrust towards others. The court outlined a series of conditions for Curry’s potential release, including probation, therapy, and a ban on contact with the victims. Ultimately, the judge emphasized the importance of accountability and rehabilitation in ensuring Curry’s future actions do not pose a threat to society.
Curry’s fate now rests on meeting the court’s stringent requirements for release and rehabilitation, with a decision on his sentence pending further evaluation.