Arrested again just days after his release

A 23-year-old man had barely left garda custody on a Thursday before he began drinking again that very night - continuing relentlessly through Friday and Saturday - until the situation “all came to a head” on Sunday, culminating in his arrest, Monaghan District Court heard.

Dominick Gawel pleaded guilty before Raymond Finnegan to criminal damage at his family home in Wylies Hill, Ballybay - where he urinated on carpets, walls and stairs - and the assault of his father, Slawomir, on April 5, 2026.

He also admitted to a separate violent attack on his brother, Kasper, late last year, December 29, 2025.

Gawel was briefly brought in front of the judge before being led back to the cells, shouting: “You can get me my solicitor, that’s what you can do.”

The court initially heard there would be no bail application as Gawel had nowhere else to go. His mother had only just allowed him back into the family home days earlier, on April 1, but after his plea, CCTV footage of the latest incident was played to the judge.

There were no victim impact statements, though evidence in respect of the earlier incident was that Gawel had allegedly lashed out at the family dog, kicking its legs from under it, before punching his brother Kasper when confronted.

Judge Finnegan pointed to the “repetitive nature” of Gawel’s behaviour.

“The problem is- and has been - drink and drugs,” defence solicitor, Barry Healy, admitted, noting his client had briefly stabilised after a previous “stint” in Midlands Prison.

“Nine months,” Gawel interjected, flanked by prison officers.

His solicitor described a “very sad situation”, saying Gawel’s mother was heartbroken but unwilling to abandon her son.

Previous

With 55 previous convictions - including multiple offences for public intoxication (18), threatening behaviour (15), as well as for possession and sale of drugs - Judge Finnegan said that Gawel finds himself trapped in a “very vicious circle”. He would otherwise continue to go “round and round” through the system - returning home, reoffending, and being arrested again - unless something in the defendant’s behaviour changes.

Gawel was sentenced to three consecutive two-month terms for the assaults and criminal damage, amounting to six months in prison.

Legal aid was granted, and recognisances were fixed should he choose to appeal.