"The sentence was a good one and both families are happy with it. At last the healing can start in the lives that have been affected by all this. We are delighted it is finally over," Mr Dean O'Carroll told the Kilkenny People.
Sean Walsh had previously pleaded guilty to stabbing and suffocating his pregnant girlfriend Georgette O'Carroll as she slept at her city home at 37 O'Loughlin Court. He also attempted to strangle Ms O'Carroll's three year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
Walsh is originally from the UK but came to live in Kilkenny in 2001. He has been in custody since he was arrested hours after the bloody attack which took place in 2004. Garda sources told the Kilkenny People that Sean Walsh was in no way involved in the killing of toddler Jamie Bulger despite continuing speculation of a link in some parts of the media.
Walsh's barrister, Mr John Peart told the court yesterday (Tuesday) that the incident was completely unpremeditated and absolutely bizarre. "Prior to this incident he already had psychiatric difficulties and violent tendencies. He has complete remorse for his actions and has pleaded guilty to avoid the trauma of his victims having to give evidence," Mr Peart told the court.
Yesterday (Tuesday) psychological and psychiatric reports were handed into the judge as well as victim impact statements.
After reading the reports Judge Olive Buttimer said: "The seriousness of these offences cannot be underestimated. That this case is not before the Central Criminal Court on a charge of murder has nothing to do with the accused. There are no mitigating factors in his conduct."
The judge noted that Walsh admitted to vivid and elaborate fantasies and followed people at night carrying a knife. Previous reports have commented on his callous unconcern for others and paranoid and narcissistic tendencies.
The judge also addressed whether or not the attack was planned. "The accused planned it. In the case of the child he knew that she would answer his call and enter the bathroom and then he could assault her. Then he would be able to assault Georgette O'Carroll.
"He used a Stanley knife while she slept and when she woke he headbutted her. It is clear that serious injury was caused and that there was a risk of death to both. He exploited a defenceless victim and the confidence and trust of a three-year-old.
"Mr Walsh has indicated to a psychiatrist that he felt a sense of relief and a bit of a buzz after the incident," she added.
Judge Buttimer told the court that she was obliged to take into account his plea of guilty and the fact that he had spared Ms O'Carroll the ordeal of giving evidence.
"I would have imposed a life sentence but for this to allow the experts decide when Mr Walsh should be released back into society."
The judge sentenced him to ten years for assault causing harm to Georgette O'Carroll and five years for endangering the life of her three-year-old daughter.
Video nasty
The court had previously heard that Georgette O'Carroll was in a relationship with Walsh at the time and was expecting a child with him when he viciously attacked her at her O'Loughlin Court home. The couple had watched a film in the cinema the previous night called The Grudge which depicts a husband trying to strangle his wife. The following morning Georgette woke up to find herself being suffocated by Walsh. She was also headbutted by him and had a number of injuries inflicted by stabbing.
Georgette managed to escape from her attacker and discovered her three-year-old daughter in the bathroom with pink trousers around her neck. At the time Ms O'Carroll believed that her daughter was dead. There was also a fracture to her daughter's left elbow and bite marks to her body.
Previous convictions
Sean Walsh, who has previous convictions in the UK when he was a juvenile, showed no emotion as he was given the 15-year sentence which was backdated to when the attack took place.
Members of his family, who are originally from County Kilkenny attended the hearing. Georgette O'Carroll was not in court for the sentencing. However Ms O'Carroll who has a toddler child by Walsh told the Kilkenny People last March that she hoped Walsh will get the help he needs.
"I think that he is a very dangerous man. If he ever came back to Kilkenny I would leave. However I really hope that he is given appropriate help. I can't afford to be bitter towards him. If I am it will ruin my life," she added.