Court told Derry man made 90 calls in six hours to ex-partner

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a woman claimed to have received 90 calls from her former partner in the space of six hours.

Michael Dillon (42) of Crawford Court in Derry was charged with entering a premises as a trespasser namely his former partner's home and harassment that were said to have occurred on February 28.

The court was told police were initially contacted by the alleged injured party when Dillon was said to have called her ninety times between one and seven in the morning.

The two were said to have been in a relationship for two months and had broken up ten days prior.

Dillon was said to have left voicemails that indicated that he was in his former girlfriend's home while she wasn't there.

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Police attended her address and Dillon was said to have answered the door. Upon entering, police found a number of damaged items and Dillon was arrested for burglary and harassment.

They also found a ligature and police believed the defendant intended to kill himself in her property. 

When interviewed, he admitted to making the phone calls but claims he didn't get the messages she sent in response asking him to stop.

He also denied damaging her door but admitted he knew he didn't have permission to be there.

Police objected to bail as they believe Dillon lives too close to the alleged injured party and, they say, can't abide by the simple message that the relationship is over.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Dillon claimed the relationship was more serious than initially reported, claiming that he and the alleged injured party had in fact lived together 'for three or four months'.

He said that Dillon 'clearly has some sort of psychological issues' but has 'no ill will' to his ex girlfriend.

Bail was granted on condition Dillon does not enter Ballymagroarty and has no contact with the alleged injured party and he will appear again on March 26.