Limerick court hears that man broke window of jeep driven by his partner’s ex
The incident happened on a farm in Limerick
A FATHER smashed a jeep and threatened to kill a man who was formerly in a relationship with his partner, on a farm in County Limerick, the circuit criminal court has heard.
Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed reporting restrictions on naming the accused or the victim to protect the identities of the children both men have with the woman.
Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Aidan Judge, outlined the case with the assistance of Detective Garda Christopher Cowan.
The accused, who pleaded guilty to criminal damage on a date in August, 2020, was defended by Eimear Carey BL. Ms Buckley said there was a family law background with court orders in place over access.
“Relations became more fraught. Text messages of an unkind nature were exchanged between the victim and the accused,” said Ms Buckley.
The barrister said the victim had called to his former partner’s house, found the children were alone and contacted gardai.
The court heard this led to rancour between the parties as the children’s mother said a neighbour was keeping an eye on them.
The court heard the accused went to a farm to ask the victim out for a fight.
“The accused used a wheel brace, which he denies, to smash the windows of the jeep the victim was in. The glass blew in on the victim. He also cracked the windscreen and said ‘I’m going to kill you’.
“The victim rang the last number in his phone which was the social worker and asked her to ring gardai. The victim feared being pulled out of the car. He reversed the jeep, went through an electric fence and hit a ditch,” said Ms Buckley.
Det Garda Cowan said he approached the victim on numerous occasions following the incident but there was “zero engagement”.
The detective said during garda interviews the accused said he was going to see the victim to “ask him out for a fair fight” and “have a straightener”.
Det Garda Cowan said he denied to gardai that he used a wheel brace but “might have used a rock”.
Ms Carey, barrister for the defendant, put it to the detective that a wheel brace wasn’t recovered. Det Garda Cowan agreed.
Judge Sheehan asked how are things now between the parties?
“We’ve had no calls since,” said Det Garda Cowan.
Ms Carey said the court has got a flavour of the background.
“It was a most unsavoury incident. My client has struggled with alcoholism. He lost his temper. He went to straighten matters out and have a fair fight.
“It is in the context of a nasty background of the disintegration of a relationship. He is remorseful,” said Ms Carey.
The court heard the accused has a total of 25 previous convictions, mainly for public order offences connected to his alcohol dependency. Ms Carey said it was his first time in the circuit court and he has no previous convictions for criminal damage.
Judge Sheehan said it was a frightening experience for the victim. The judge said gardai have not been involved since 2020 which is worthwhile to record.
Judge Sheehan imposed an 18 month jail sentence for criminal damage with the final 16 months suspended.