Former air hostess accused of breaching bail

A senior Garda yesterday said he finds it “nothing short of astonishing” that a former air hostess infatuated with her former lover could allegedly be breaking her bail conditions concerning contact with the man.

Inspector Tom Kennedy made the comment at Ennis District Court yesterday concerning Siobhán Downes, aged 34, allegedly breaching her bail conditions by going to an accountant’s office in Ennis on Monday to inquire from a woman working there whether the woman’s daughter was still going out with Ms Downes’ former boyfriend.

Ms Downes was on bail at the time concerning a summons that she allegedly breached a Protection Order on Oct 3 by going to the home of her former boyfriend, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Ms Downes, of Childers Rd, Ennis, Co Clare, had been remanded in custody at Limerick Prison for 10 days over the latest alleged breach on Oct 3, and was released on bail at last week’s court with stringent conditions.

She only avoided jail last month over six separate Protection Order breaches since Feb 2013 that she had pleaded guilty to after agreeing to be admitted for psychiatric treatment.

In evidence yesterday, Garda Margaret Leahy said that a complaint was made to gardaí following Ms Downes’ visit to the accountant’s office last Monday morning.

Garda Leahy said: “Siobhán wanted to know if the woman’s daughter was still going out with her former boyfriend.

“She is making inquiries about who the injured party is seeing and who he is going out with, and that would be a concern.”

Insp Kennedy said the action represented a breach of bail conditions stipulating that Ms Downes have no direct or indirect contact with her former boyfriend.

“I find it nothing short of astonishing that we are here today discussing a further alleged breach given all that has gone on with Ms Downes,” said Insp Kennedy.

Ms Downes’s solicitor, Turlough Herbert, argued that Ms Downes calling to the office did not represent a breach of bail as no contact was made with her former boyfriend. The court heard last week that the man has left the jurisdiction.

As a result, Judge Durcan told Mr Herbert that “if your client wants her freedom, I want a sworn undertaking that you’re client has no contact whatsoever direct or indirect with the injured party”.

Ms Downes gave the sworn undertaking in court.

Judge Durcan said first he must apologise to Ms Downes for his remark in court last week, that the court is not a creche for middle-aged people, telling the 34-year old that she does not fall into that age category.

Judge Durcan told Ms Downes that he was glad to see her looking so well and that it was obvious that her health had improved.

Ms Downes admitted that she felt “a bit shook”.

He said: “I hope things to continue to improve for you.”

He remanded Ms Downes on bail to Ennis District Court to Dec 4.