Man threatens ex with crowbar over social media posts
This photo is for illustrative purposes
A MAN who allegedly smashed his way into a residence in Athy to threaten his ex-girlfriend with a crowbar and steal her mobile phone will have to return to court in April to learn of his trial date in the Circuit Court for these charges.
The man who can’t be named to protect the identity of the injured party, appeared in Athy District Court this week (28 October) from custody following his arrest that morning.
Garda Seamus Doyle gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court: “he made no reply to the charge”, but that gardaí would not be objecting to bail.
The offence allegedly occurred on 24 January last at an Athy address.
“[The named defendant] basically smashed his way into the residence,” said Garda Doyle.
“He was in possession of a crowbar, threatened his ex-girlfriend and stole her mobile phone,” he testified.
“When he got the mobile phone he left the property,” he added.
“It is believed the incident was in relation to social media posts,” he said.
No indication was given in court why it took so long to have the man arrested.
Judge Desmond Zaidan accepted Garda Doyle’s testimony and remanded the defendant on continuing bail – under the same conditions as previously laid down in June – until 14 April for his Book of Evidence and trial date.
At his last appearance in court in June on unrelated matters the 24-year-old man was granted bail only on the condition his defence team could secure him a place in a treatment centre.
“I need treatment not jail,” pleaded the defendant on that appearance.
“That’s one thing we’d be in tandem with, if I had the power to send you to a treatment centre, and the doctors and nurses there told me you didn’t need treatment so be it, but we don’t have that yet, it [admission] has to be voluntary, so you have to play snakes and ladders with the system,” commented the judge back in June.
“I would give every addict every chance if I could in a medical centre instead of through the court system. It would make a hell of a difference,” he had added.
