Colm O'Donoghue cleared after court hears accuser tried to 'ruin his career'

Multiple Group 1-winning Flat jockey Colm O'Donoghue was on Monday acquitted of two counts of physical assault on his ex-girlfriend Jill Macken in 2018 after Carrick-on-Suir district court heard Ms Macken had set out to ruin his career.

The incidents were alleged to have taken place at his home in Fethard, County Tipperary, on October 6, 2018 and at the Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne, County Meath, on November 12, 2018. O'Donoghue denied both allegations from the outset.

The court, which was presided over by Judge Terence Finn, heard that on the date of the first allegation O'Donoghue was riding in Newmarket and he provided details of his return flight into Cork that night, which showed he had not been in the country at the time the assault was said to have occurred.

The court had concern over a number of aspects of Ms Macken's evidence from the alleged incident in the Pillo hotel, notably that she had returned to the room where the alleged assault had taken place and had invited O'Donoghue back there, that she had taken his phone when leaving the room and that she had gone to his house in Fethard the following day to take him a birthday present.

Alpha Centauri and Colm O'Donoghue win the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in 2018Credit: Steve Davies

It was established that Ms Macken first made the complaints to the Gardai in February 2019, a number of days after the relationship between her and O'Donoghue had come to an end while they were in Dubai.

The court was shown a WhatsApp message Ms Macken sent to O'Donoghue following their break-up, which stated: "Now to ruin ur life."

The 40-year-old Classic-winning rider was found innocent of the charges by Judge Finn. He was represented by Oisin Clarke BL, instructed by solicitor Tracy Horan, who subsequently confirmed that he would now be considering his legal options.

"Colm has been emphatically found innocent of causing any harm to Ms Macken," Horan said. "The court also heard that Ms Macken cost Colm his entire career, as he could not get employment because of the things she was saying.

"I'm delighted for him. He didn't deserve this. Colm is considering his legal options with regard to a civil case."

Confirmed runners and riders for the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle

O'Donoghue has not ridden in Ireland or Britain since the autumn of 2019, his most recent winner coming in the Queen's colours aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Clarion at Newmarket on August 3, 2019.

He had previously had a long and distinguished association with Ballydoyle, where he is now based once again, before his link-up with Jessica Harrington promoted him to the big time.

In a whirlwind 2018, he steered the brilliant Alpha Centauri to four Group 1 triumphs, including the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

It is understood the allegations that were made against him did not have any bearing on Harrington's decision to promote Shane Foley ahead of him early in 2019.

When contacted on Monday, O'Donoghue did not want to comment on the case.

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