A 52-year-old man has been convicted of coercive control, intimidation and multiple assaults on his former partner.
The jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found the man had burned, punched, headbutted, stamped on, and strangled the 43-year-old woman.
He is the first person to be found guilty of the offences under the 2018 Domestic Violence Act following a trial.
The gardaí have commended the woman for her bravery and described her as "a beacon of hope" for other victims to come forward.
The physical and psychological abuse endured by the victim came to light when the hospital where she was treated for her injuries alerted the gardaí.
The woman told the Circuit Criminal Court that shortly after they got together, the man stubbed his cigarette out on her foot and burnt it "for no reason".
The man, who legally cannot be identified, also cut her face and neck with a pizza slicer, threatened to drown her and stamped on her head and arm, breaking it.
The court also heard how the man gradually isolated the woman. "I couldn't even walk to the shops on my own," she said.
He began answering her phone so her friends stopped calling.
He took her social welfare money every week and told her she was a disgrace, a waste of space and she spent nights in women's aid shelters.
The court heard the man also told the woman he would circulate naked images and videos he had of her on the internet and send them to her family if she did not withdraw the allegations against him.
However, the victim gave evidence against him and after deliberating for almost 15 hours the jury found him guilty of all, but two of the charges.
Judge Elma Sheahan remanded him in custody and will set a date for sentencing tomorrow.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Chief Superintendent Finbar Murphy, of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, said afterwards that he was conscious that sentence had not been handed down, but he wanted to commend the bravery and courage of the victim for bringing this case and telling her story to the court in the manner that she did.
He said: "She is a beacon of hope to a lot of people who find themselves in a similar situation and it is something they will draw a lot of courage from themselves in hearing her story.
"In relation to anyone who has found themselves in a similar situation, if you are a victim of coercive control, if you are the subject of abuse or assault and whether you are in a gay relationship or a heterosexual relationship, whether you are married or have a partner, whether you are young or old, you do not have to put up with this behaviour."
Chief Supt Murphy added: "It is illegal, it is criminal, if you come to the garda station and tell your story you will receive a sympathetic hearing, but you will also receive a very professional service from us and we will link you up with other professional services who will help you through this process and give you back your life.
"And remember none of this is your fault. This is the fault of the person who is committing the offences against you.
"If you come to us and tell your story we guarantee you we will give you our full support and bring these matters before the courts."
He also said: "It the first case of coercive control in the State that has gone before a jury."
Anyone affected by the details in this report can contact the Women's Aid 24-hour helpline on 1800 341 900 or Men's Aid on 01-554 3811.
