Man who violently attacked woman told to engage with probation

A man who repeatedly punched, headbutted and left a woman with burn injuries to her hand has been ordered to engage with probation services.

Trevor Costelloe (45), with an address at Adamstown, Castletown Geoghegan, Westmeath, appeared at Mullingar District Court last week, having previously pleaded guilty to assaulting his victim three times on August 12 and 14, 2025.

The first attack took place at Mr Costelloe’s home when he punched the woman repeatedly in the face and head before delivering a headbutt that left his victim bleeding from the nose.

The court was told the assault took an even more disturbing tone when “the accused lit a pillow on fire and threw it at the injured party, causing her burns to her hand”.

The circumstances surrounding that assault came to light two days later when Mr Costelloe assaulted the woman once again, this time at the Greville Arms Hotel car park.

The case had been adjourned to allow the state to seek a victim impact statement prior to sentencing.

Sgt Sheila Kenny addressed the court to say gardaí were, however, “having difficulty” making contact with the injured party.

Louis Kiernan, defending, said the incidents before the court, while serious matters, happened in quick succession and his client and the injured party have effectively reconciled.

Mr Costelloe’s two previous convictions were also made known; a drink driving disqualification in September 2019 and a public intoxication offence in 2004.

Mr Kiernan said both were symptomatic of an underlying issue as distinct from the types of charges the accused had since been hit with.

He said his client and the injured party had been together for six and a half years and said there was merit in putting the case back for a time to learn what attitude the injured party was taking.

Judge Owens didn’t appear to take too well to that suggestion and said the court was much more focused on the perspective being taken by the accused.

“I would be much more concerned about his attitude,” she said.

Mr Kiernan reaffirmed Mr Costelloe’s guilty pleas and said he was aware that he was still at “the mercy of the court” but was “trying to rebuild things at home”.

With doubts over the furnishing of a victim impact statement, Judge Owens remanded Mr Costelloe on bail for a to July 23 for a probation report.