Ex-lover’s infatuation forced man to emigrate

A Clare man was forced to leave the country for England due to the attention from his infatuated former lover, a court has been told.

At Ennis District Court yesterday, Garda Margaret Leahy said the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was forced to leave Ireland for England last August due to the attention from Siobhan Downes, a former air hostess.

Turlough Herbert, for Ms Downes, told the court: “This is the first time I have heard of this, that the victim was forced to go to England.”

Garda Leahy confirmed the man was not working at the time of his departure and Mr Herbert said: “Judge, I would ask you to take the fact that the man was not working at the time into account.”

Ms Downes was in court yesterday in relation to allegedly breaching a protection order on October 3 by going to the home of her ex-boyfriend.

Ms Downes, aged 35, of Childers Rd, Ennis, spent 10 days in jail concerning the charge in October.

She avoided jail at Judge Patrick Durcan’s court in September concerning six separate breaches of the protection order since February 2013, to which she had pleaded guilty only after agreeing to be admitted for psychiatric treatment.

Yesterday, Judge Durcan said Ms Downes “has caused huge distress to this man and offended against court orders”.

“I do accept that it is a very unusual and very sad case and Ms Downes has come through a very difficult period. I believe that Ms Downes is a very decent woman,” he said.

Mr Herbert said she “has also been subject to a high level of adverse media attention”.

In evidence, Garda Leahy said Ms Downes hasn’t been near the family home of the victim or come to Garda attention since October 3.

Garda Leahy said she spoke to the victim in August and “he has made no complaints or the family have made no complaints since”.

The matter was listed for finalisation yesterday, but Judge Durcan said that, before the matter is finalised, he would like to hear from the victim or the victim’s family in court. “I want the court to be reassured that there won’t be a recurrence.”

Mr Herbert said the latest probation report concerning Ms Downes “is a good report”.

Judge Durcan noted that Ms Downes is in employment in a caring capacity.

Mr Herbert said the bulk of the charges were amassed when Ms Downes “was on a particular medication and it is very important for my client that the court is aware of that”.

Judge Durcan said he would adjourn the case for finalisation to Ennis District Court on April 9 when the victim or the victim’s family would give evidence.