Former air hostess faces prison for pursuing ex-lover

A former air hostess infatuated with her ex-lover has a bold determination to pursue her victim, a judge has said.

Judge Patrick Durcan made his comment yesterday after warning Siobhan Downes, aged 34, that she faces prison at the next court date if she does not comply 100% with the directives of the Probation Service.

At Ennis District Court yesterday, Ms Downes was appearing in relation to allegedly breaching a Protection Order on Oct 3 last by going to the home of her former boyfriend, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Ms Downes, of Childers Rd, Ennis, had been remanded in custody at Limerick Prison for 10 days concerning the latest alleged breach of the Protection Order on Oct 3 and was released on bail in October.

The Ennis woman avoided jail at Judge Durcan’s court in September concerning six separate Protection Order breaches since Feb 2013 to which she had pleaded guilty, only after agreeing to be admitted for psychiatric treatment.

A Probation Service report was placed before the court on Ms Downes yesterday and after reading the document, Judge Durcan said he was not happy with it.

Addressing Ms Downes, he said: “I appreciate the time you spent in prison and I appreciate the time you spent in an acute psychiatric unit. I do not believe that you are co-operating with the Probation Service. I believe there is a element of ‘foxing’ as far as you are concerned.

“I do not accept that the problems underlying your behaviour are due entirely to psychiatric issues.”

Judge Durcan warned Ms Downes: “Should I find that there is not 100% compliance by you with the Probation Service, I will finalise these matters with a prison sentence.

“Let’s be clear where you and I stand, I don’t think there is a serious psychiatric problem — I am of the view that there is a bold determination on your part to pursue the victim involved in this case.

“I also share the view expressed by the Probation Service that there is an immaturity on your part. So you would want to ship up and wake up otherwise I will wake you up.”

Judge Durcan adjourned the case to Feb 4 to Ennis District Court for sentence.