A man from Dublin, Donatas Jankauskas, aged 44, faces serious charges after allegedly assaulting his housemate in a disturbing incident that reportedly involved strangulation. The alleged attack took place at their residence in Santry, and the woman involved was reportedly compelled to act as if she were dead in order to escape the situation and call for help.
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The alleged incident occurred early on Saturday, May 30, prompting an emergency call to the police just after 4:00 a.m. According to reports from The Irish Independent and The Irish Times, the woman managed to dial emergency services while in a state of panic, audibly screaming for assistance, which led to four police officers responding to the distress call.
Upon arrival, the officers found the alleged victim visibly shaken and noticed that her room had been ransacked. Officer Sean Lally, who testified in court, described how items in the room, including a mirror and a bed, had been damaged. The woman reportedly showed signs of physical injury, including facial bruising, indicating the severity of the situation.
According to the police accounts, Jankauskas remained on the premises and appeared to be in an intoxicated state, displaying aggressive behaviour. The court heard that he resisted arrest and verbally confronted the officers, allegedly telling them to “f—k off” and physically attacking one officer, which resulted in injuries.
In her statement, the woman reported to police, aided by a Turkish interpreter, that Jankauskas had forcibly entered her room and assaulted her physically. She claimed he placed his arm around her neck, choking her to the point of losing consciousness. In a desperate bid for survival, she attempted to bite his hand, but he allegedly continued the assault, throwing her against furniture.
The incident lasted approximately six minutes, during which the woman feared for her life as Jankauskas allegedly continued to strangle her. In a bid to escape the situation, she decided to pretend to be dead, which allowed her the chance to surreptitiously activate an SOS feature on her phone and plead for help.
Officer Lally vehemently opposed granting bail to Jankauskas, highlighting the distressing nature of the violence involved in the case. The court, presided over by Judge Áine Clancy, agreed and denied Jankauskas bail. He faces charges not only of assaulting the woman but also of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and causing criminal damage.
The woman involved in this case did not appear in court and is currently reported to be staying in temporary emergency accommodation, reflecting the traumatic impact this incident has had on her life. Jankauskas is set to appear again at Colverhill District Court in Dublin on Wednesday, June 3. The judge mentioned that the case might escalate to the Circuit Court, which has significantly broader sentencing capabilities.
As the situation unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of the dire consequences of domestic violence. Authorities have emphasised the need for victims to reach out for help, reiterating that support is available through various channels, including national hotlines that offer confidential assistance.
This incident has garnered attention as it highlights ongoing concerns regarding domestic violence in homes across Ireland and the necessity of addressing such issues with urgency and seriousness to prevent further harm. As legal proceedings commence, the community watches closely, aware of the far-reaching impacts of such acts of violence.