Ger Byrne. Pic: Jim Campbell

A WELL known Wexford musician has been jailed for four years following his sentencing hearing at Thursday’s sitting of Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.

Gerard Byrne, 30 Carrigeen Street, Wexford, appeared before Judge Barry Hickson on charges of assault causing harm and sexual assault.

Guilty pleas had been entered in respect of both charges.

Defence Counsel, Sarah Phelan S.C., told the court the defendant pleaded guilty to asssault “from the very outset” and that following legal argument also changed his plea on the sexual assault charge to one of ‘guilty’.

The defendant’s wife, Mrs. Cathy Byrne, who was the victim in the case waived her right to anonymity and took to the witness stand to outline the effect the incident had on her.

“This attack of sexual violation and brutality left me broken,” she told Judge Hickson.

She said she was seperated from the defendant saying he was “the story of my life”.

Mrs. Byrne said she had suffered in the past but her life changed forever following her ordeal.

“The person I had trusted turned out to be a monster,” she said.

“You made me feel worthless, ashamed and terrified,’ how could you treat me this way?” she added.

She said as a result of what happened she was unable to make decisions for herself and that her daughter and her partner effectively became her babysitters.

“They gave me a safe place to live and take care of my bills,” said Mrs. Byrne.

“The events of that night replay in my mind over and over again,” she added.

“I suffer panic attacks at any given time.”

Mrs. Byrne said that while she received great support from her family and friends she had also lost friends because of how she changed as a person over what happened.

“I would like to say I could forgive you but the last two-and-a-half years made me realise I could never forgive you,” she said.

“I hope I receive justice today and you receive the punishment you deserve.”

(For the full story see this week’s print edition of the Echo newspaper)