Shane Green from Kilcully, Co Cork, leaves court yesterday after being jailed for five years

A hurler from Cork who attacked his girlfriend while high on a cocktail of body-building steroids and alcohol was jailed for three years.

Shane Green (22) "exploded" in fury after becoming separated from his girlfriend, Amy Deedy (24), while out socialising in Cork city and the duo were forced to travel home separately by taxi.

Green was told by Judge Sean O'Donnabhain that his behaviour represented "a heinous crime".

Having arrived back at his Kilcully home on January 24 last, Green angrily confronted Ms Deedy in a back room and falsely imprisoned her.

He grabbed her by the neck, repeatedly punched her, knocked her to the ground and prevented her from fleeing the house.

He placed his hands around her neck and the young woman admitted she thought she was going to be choked.

His blows were so violent that the young woman was left with a mixture of blood and tears flowing from one eye.

"I would never have thought at 24 years old I would have been almost strangled to death," she said.

"I was left with a fractured cheekbone. The bruising on my face was so horrific I couldn't even make simple trips to the shops.

"It was hard on my family, especially my dad and brother to see me beaten to a pulp and feel so helpless," she said.

"I am now constantly looking over my shoulder. If I hear someone walking up behind I get really scared. This attack has really opened my eyes to how dangerous people in this world really are."

During her ordeal, a middle-aged woman present in the house courageously tried to protect Ms Deedy.

However, Green struck the older woman repeatedly and knocked her to the ground.

When Ms Deedy jumped out a window to try and escape, he ran after her and dragged her back into the house.

The incident continued until Green finally fell asleep and Ms Deedy was able to flee and raise the alarm.

She told the court she then received calls from Green threatening her.

"I was getting phone calls and death threats. The guards had to go over to his house and tell him to stop. He said he was going to finish me off," she sobbed.

Defence counsel, Ray Boland BL, said Green had anger management issues.

Talented

Green pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm and false imprisonment against the two women.

Mr Boland said Green was a very talented hurler but was thrown off his GAA panel because of a drugs problem.

He then spiralled out of control due to taking steroids for body building and then drinking

"I would like to apologies to Amy Deedy... for what I have done. It was horrendous what I did. I was not in a right frame of mind at the time. I am truly sorry," he said.

However, Judge O'Donnabhain said he had left two women absolutely terrified.

"The violence used was particularly frightening," he said.

"He all but pulverised his girlfriend. He just let violence explode from him that night."

Judge O'Donnabhain jailed Green for five years but agreed to suspend the final two years in light of his plea and remorse.

Irish Independent