Judge issues stern warning to man bailed after knife threats

A Judge has warned a Donegal man charged with threatening a woman with a knife that she doesn't want to see him over Christmas.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham was addressing the man after granting him bail for the festive period -on what she called 'very, very strict conditions'.

The man, who is aged in his 30s and cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Saturday following an alleged incident at an address in the Letterkenny area.

He was charged that he did, while committing an offence, to wit, threats to kill, intending to cause serious harm, in the course of a dispute, produce in a manner likely, unlawfully, to intimidate another person, an article capable of inflicting serious injury, to wit, a knife.

The man was brought from Garda custody to Letterkenny District Court. His solicitor, Mr Donough Cleary, made a bail application on his behalf.

Sergeant Jim Collins opposed bail.

After considering the respective submissions, Judge Cunningham granted bail.

Bail was granted on the man entering into a bond of €200, with €100 to be lodged in cash. He is not to commit any further offence and be of good behaviour.

The man is to reside at a named address and to have no contact, either directly or indirectly with either the alleged victim or any witnesses in the case.

The accused was also directed to remain drug and alcohol free.

The matter was adjourned to January 9, 2023.

“I don't want you to be under any illusions,” Judge Cunningham told the defendant. ”If there are any breaches of these conditions, Sergeant Collins will have an application (to revoke bail) before me.

“I am available through the Christmas period. I will hold a special sitting at any stage.”

The accused man told the Judge that he had stopped taking medication and had started taking drugs and alcohol.

He asked the Judge to make an order that he attend White Oaks, but she said this was a matter for himself.

“I don't want to see you over Christmas,” Judge Cunningham told the man.