Jail term for man who subjected wife to vicious attack

A man viciously assaulted his wife while serving a suspended prison sentence for a similar offence.

Mohammad Ahmed, aged 49, of Ellison Street, Castlebar, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting his wife.

At a previous hearing, Gda Ciara Brennan told the court that the attack happened at the family home at Cois Abhainn, Castlebar on March 8, 2024.

Ahmed's wife had questioned her husband’s drinking that morning and the defendant dragged her along the floor by her hair. He punched his wife and put his hands around her neck in an attempt to choke her.

Ahmed left the property when Gardaí were called. Photographs showing marks to the victim’s neck and around her right eye were taken by officers. The couple’s two young sons were present in the house at the time of the assault.

Ahmed was arrested later that evening at Tulsi Indian restaurant. He gave a no comment interview.

The court heard the couple were married for over 20 years and Ahmed had taken ownership of the Indian restaurant at the time. He sustained injuries in an explosion there in January 2025.

The court was told there were eight domestic incidents reported at the home since 2022 and Ahmed has one previous conviction for a similar offence. He was serving a suspended jail sentence when he assaulted his wife again. The victim withdrew her statement of complaint but the Director of Public Prosecutions proceeded with the case. Ahmed and his wife remain separated.

The court heard the Bangladeshi native came to Ireland in 1999 and previously worked as a chef and restaurant owner.

Judge Eoin Garavan said Ahmed had received a suspended jail term but “could not resist resorting to violence again". He noted the bandages on the man’s hands following the restaurant explosion.

“It may benefit the victim that his hands aren’t in good condition,” Judge Garavan commented.

The case came before the judge again last week for finalisation with Ahmed having spent the last seven months in custody.

Barrister Diarmuid Connolly, representing Ahmed, said health and language issues have made prison life difficult for his client. He said Ahmed’s hands are disfigured following the restaurant explosion and he was recently hospitalised with a heart complaint. 

“Prison is not meant to be easy, but it is harder for some candidates than others,” Mr Connolly stated.

He said he believed Ahmed has learned his lesson.

Judge Garavan remarked that the man had "egregiously" attacked his wife. He said Ahmed needs to address his drinking.

“Drink is an issue for him. It makes him violent. He shouldn’t be on it,” said the judge.

Judge Garavan imposed a 20-month prison sentence, suspending the final nine months. The sentence was backdated to reflect time already spent in custody.

“I can only hope that he has learned his lesson. Let us hope that life changes for the Ahmed family from here on in,” he concluded.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.