Family Demands Bail Reform After Thug Assaults Relative, Leaves Her Disabled

UPDATE: The family of Angela Cunningham is calling for urgent changes to bail laws after her nephew, Nyal Tumelty, inflicted life-changing injuries during a violent assault while out on bail for a prior attack. The shocking incident occurred on April 22, 2023, in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, and has left Cunningham, 65, requiring permanent care and confined to a wheelchair.

Cunningham’s son, Paul, expressed the family’s outrage, stating, “If he wasn’t given bail for attacking that other woman, our mother would be living a normal and healthy life.” Tumelty, 30, was already facing charges for a brutal attack on a pregnant runner in Carlingford, Co Louth, in September 2021 when he assaulted Cunningham, a crime that has devastated their family.

The court revealed that Tumelty’s cocaine-fueled assault on Cunningham included striking her with a bottle, kicking her repeatedly, and stabbing her in the face. After the attack, he left her severely injured and failed to call for help. The judge, John Aylmer, sentenced Tumelty to a total of 12 years in prison on November 20, 2023, for assault causing serious harm, but two years of that sentence were suspended.

Cunningham’s family is now advocating for reforms to prevent offenders facing serious charges from being granted bail. Paul Cunningham stated, “There should be certain crimes that you don’t get bail for. He was one lad who shouldn’t have been given bail.” The family is grappling with the trauma caused by Tumelty’s actions, with Paul revealing that he has sought counseling for PTSD due to the ordeal.

In response to the incident, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice referenced a recent report presented to Minister Jim O’Callaghan, which includes 15 recommendations aimed at improving bail legislation. Proposed measures involve enhancing information-sharing systems for law enforcement and the court system, implementing an adult bail supervision scheme, and expanding conditions for granting bail.

Cunningham’s devastating experience highlights the urgent need for legislative changes to protect victims and ensure that individuals with a history of violence are not released on bail. Her family’s plea for justice emphasizes the emotional and physical toll such crimes take not only on victims but also on their loved ones.

As this story develops, the Cunningham family continues to seek justice and reform, hoping to prevent future tragedies. The impact of Tumelty’s actions is a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive bail reform to safeguard vulnerable members of society.