Limerick man who threatened to burn down ex-partner's home avoids jail sentence

A LIMERICK man who threatened to burn his ex-partner’s house down has been given a three year fully suspended prison sentence. 

Martin Enright, 47, of Loughill East, Newcastle West pleaded guilty to two counts of making threats to cause criminal damage of his ex-partner’s home and that of her brother.

The court heard that Mr Enright also told the mother of his children that nothing would stop him from seeing his child and that he “would start a war” if she took out a Barring Order to protect herself from him. 

The woman has since taken out a Protection Order against the man, and the pair now share a custody arrangement for their two young children. 

The court heard that on another occasion Mr Enright told his ex-partner that she was “a dummy and a weak woman” and that she “couldn’t stand up for herself”.  

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Barrister-in-Law Lily Buckley told Limerick’s Circuit court at a hearing that the woman was forced to move out of her home due to safety concerns brought on by the man’s threats. 

The woman wrote in her Victim Impact Statement that she is “still terrified” and is “living in constant fear” because of Mr Enright. 

She added that her son was just five months old when the offences happened. "The baby, now almost two years old, is still afraid of loud noises,” she stated, adding her daughter is "withdrawn, detached and scared of shadows and wind".

The woman said she wishes to be able “to walk down the street with my children with no fear”.

Judge Colin Daly was given additional details surrounding the background, including how Mr Enright wanted to stay in the victim’s house after their child was born, but that his behaviour became abusive and that he became "suspicious" of his ex-partner.

The relationship between the two ended in November 2023, which the man found “hard to accept”. 

In his plea of mitigation, Donal Cronin BL said his client “wishes to apologise profusely to the injured parties” and that he has since attended treatment for alcoholism. 

He said the defendant “works in the construction industry” and has accepted his actions were not acceptable.

Mr Enright has offered €3,000 in compensation to his ex-partner, which the court heard she will “reluctantly” accept. 

Judge Colin Daly sentenced Mr Enright to a three years fully suspended sentence to “preserve their family dynamic”. 

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.