A 48-year-old garda, Trevor Bolger, is set to be sentenced later this year for assaulting his wife, Margaret Loftus, in her childhood home with their young children present. Bolger, residing in Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to the assault that occurred in October 2012 after a family party in Co Mayo.

Margaret Loftus, also a member of An Garda Síochána, shared that her ex-husband attempted to break her but she emerged stronger. Bolger has been suspended from the force since his arrest in December 2019.

Judge Martina Baxter expressed the need for a Probation Service evaluation of Bolger's efforts to address his involvement in domestic abuse and risk of reoffending. Sentencing is scheduled for the end of October.

The court learned that Bolger and Loftus met in Ballymun in 2006 and married in 2010. Loftus described the assault as occurring in what she considered the safest place on earth - her childhood home.

During a family event in Co Mayo in October 2012, Bolger, upset about attending, became irate upon returning to Loftus' family home where they were staying. In their bedroom, he physically assaulted her in front of their young children.

Following the assault, Loftus informed Bolger that their marriage was over. Despite initially denying the assault, Bolger was later interviewed and charged.

In her victim impact statement, Loftus described the assault as violent and terrifying, leading to the end of their marriage. She emphasized the fear she experienced due to the presence of their children.

Loftus expressed her decision to leave the marriage to avoid living in fear and becoming a victim of domestic violence. She highlighted the impact on her professional relationships within An Garda Síochána.

Despite the challenges, Loftus urged all victims of domestic violence to speak out. Bolger, in mitigation, expressed remorse, admitted himself to a hospital post-assault, and offered compensation to Loftus and their children.

Senior Counsel Cathleen Noctor presented testimonials showcasing Bolger's positive contributions to society and requested the court to consider his guilty plea and service record. Judge Baxter sought insights from the Probation Service to assess Bolger's risk of reoffending.

He is awaiting sentencing on 30 October.