Judge issues warning to Kildare man who breached protection order by sending threatening message to ex-partner

A Naas District Court judge gave a stern warning to a man who breached a protection order brought against him by his ex-partner.

Judge Desmond Zaidan made the comments while speaking to the defendant during an in-camera (in private) court session held on Thursday, May 23 last.

The court was told by gardaí that the man was in breach of a domestic violence protection order, and that he pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred last year.

It was heard that the man sent a message to the woman saying that he would 'get his cousin to go in (to her home) and beat the head off' her.

Gardaí added that the man and the woman have a child together.

The injured party was present in the court, and added that he had made further breaches of the order since the initial breach took place.

"He is still calling me (on the phone) and calling me names," she said.

The woman also said that she didn’t wish for the man to go to jail; just that she wanted the verbal abuse to stop.

Judge Zaidan placed the man on a peace bond for the next 12 months, and warned him: "You better start being civil, because if you’re back before me, I will send you to jail.

"No more name-calling, and no more 'effing and blinding'."

He added: "You wouldn’t like it if your child had to go through this when they are grown up."

If you have been affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Women's Aid at 1800 341 900 or emailing [email protected], or Men's Aid by ringing 01 554 3811 or emailing [email protected].

Additionally, you can find resources to help you by emailing Samaritans Ireland at [email protected], or by ringing 116 123.