Tully urges others to 'stand up' against domestic violence

Just minutes after her estranged husband, convicted Garda Killer Pearse McAuley was sentenced to serve 12-years imprisonment for assaulting her, causing serious harm last Christmas Eve, a Cavan mother-of-two has urged others in similar circumstances to “stand up for themselves” and speak out against domestic violence.

Former Sinn Fein County Councillor, Pauline Tully said from the steps of Cavan Courthouse this afternoon: “I just want to say, domestic violence is totally wrong no matter by who, or where it is perpetrated. I would encourage anyone who is a victim of domestic violence to do something about it, look for support, and stand up for themselves.”

The Strabane-native McAuley (51) with an address at Canal Bank Walk, Ballyconnell, had pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Ms Tully, and intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to her at Keelderry, Kilnaleck on December 24 last year.

He also pleaded guilty to production of a knife, and to threatening to kill her brother during the same incident.

Before Judge John Aylmer at Cavan Circuit Court this afternoon, McAuley was sentenced to serve 12-years imprisonment for assault causing serious harm to Ms Tully, a former Sinn Féin County Councillor, with four years suspended and his term backdated to time he first went behind bars.

He was also sentenced to serve three-years for production of a knife, six for false imprisonment, and four for the charge relating to making a threat to kill.

Following sentencing, Ms Tully told reporters gathered outside “I'm relieved its over and I just want to look forward to planning a good Christmas for my two little boys and myself.”

The local secondary school teacher also thanked anyone who has helped her over the past 12-months.

“I want to thank everybody to helped me along the way, my family my neighbours, my colleagues, my friends, the gardai, and the barrister and solicitor for the state,” she said.

Ms Tully refused to comment when asked by reporters whether she felt that the Director of Public Prosecutions should appeal the leniency of the sentences handed down to McAuley.

With regards to her two children, aged eight and five, she said while the whole process has been “difficult”, both “are doing well.”

Last week Ms Tully told the court by way of victim impact statement that she dreaded and feared the day her estranged husband would be released.

“I am in absolute fear of him and fear that someday he will make another attempt on my life. I do not ever expect to enjoy a peaceful mind, but will live a life haunted by what happened to me,” she told the court.

See next week's Anglo-Celt newspaper for full report...