Estranged husband called 'terrified' grandmother the 'C-word' in Limerick city centre

A MAN has been given a suspended sentence for terrifying a grandmother - who happens to be his ex-partner - in a public place.

The man - who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity - confronted a woman at Arthur’s Quay shopping centre on a date in November, 2024.

The woman, in her victim statement to Limerick District Court, said that she is estranged from her husband. On the day of the barring order breach, the man grabbed her and “started screaming at her”, and she “almost had a heart attack”.

During the altercation, the woman said that her estranged husband called her “the C word”. 

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In her testimony the woman began crying, and detailed that she is “terrified to have my grandson come visit” because of the man’s repeated intimidation of her.

Solicitor Donal Cronin, defending the man, said that the man apologises, and that he will not breach the barring order in future. 

The woman said that the man collects his dole near his house. Judge Valerie Corcoran directed the man to apply to the Department of Social Welfare to pick up his dole elsewhere. 

Prosecuting Inspector Martyn Wallace outlined that the man has one previous conviction for previously breaching the barring order that the woman took out against him. 

Judge Corcoran said that it is “absolutely outrageous” for the man to “terrify his ex-partner and grab her in public”. 

The judge said “It’s a serious situation” and that what happened is “unacceptable”.

The man was convicted for breaching the barring order and given a sentence of seven months, which was suspended for two years.  

The man was also ordered to stay out of an area north of Limerick city in its entirety, not have any contact of any nature with the victim, and to remain at least 200 metres from her at all times. 

Castigating the man, the judge said: “If he’s in town and he sees her, he’s to walk the other way” and that “If you don’t leave this lady alone, you will go to prison for seven months”. 

-Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme