Woman victimised ex-lover and his family

A 35-year-old infatuated woman victimised her former lover and three generations of his family after their relationship broke down, a court heard yesterday.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan imposed a one-year suspended jail term on Siobhán Downes of Childers Road, Ennis, concerning four sample counts of breaches, between March and October last year, of a Protection Order that was granted to her former boyfriend in February 2013.

Judge Durcan said the man “has essentially been forced to emigrate to England” because of the harassment perpetrated by Ms Downes.

The Co Clare man — who cannot be named — secured the Protection Order after the former air hostess made persistent contact with him after their relationship broke down.

Last October, Ms Downes spent “10 terrible days”, according to her solicitor, Turlough Herbert, on remand in Limerick prison in connection with the offences. Last August, Ms Downes’ former boyfriend emigrated to England and he remains there today.

Judge Durcan said the man was not the only victim in the case, pointing out that the man’s 65-year-old father’s mental health deteriorated because of Ms Downes’ “most appalling intrusion into the lives of that family”.

Judge Durcan said a grandchild was also adversely affected psychologically as a result of Ms Downes’ action.

The judge made his comments after written victim impact statements concerning the victim and family members were handed into court by gardaí.

The judge said Ms Downes had breached the Protection Order “on a sustained, serious and continuing basis between March 5, 2013 and October 3 last”.

Judge Durcan said he would only accept, to an extent, that Ms Downes’ mental health difficulties was the reason for the harassment.

Ms Downes’ father, Seán Downes, gave evidence and blamed prescribed medication that his daughter was taking at the time for her behaviour. Judge Durcan said this may well have been the case. However, Mr Downes said there had been significant improvements in his daughter’s condition.

He said: “She has had no contact with the victim’s family in six months. She is back working and enjoying her life again.”

Mr Herbert said that “the genesis for my client’s behaviour was a human relationship that went wrong and factors that exacerbated that situation”.

Requesting that Judge Durcan not convict his client, Mr Herbert said: “Ms Downes did spend 10 terrible days in Limerick prison and she was injured while there... She has suffered hugely and I think she has suffered enough with time spent in custody.”

Judge Durcan said he couldn’t agree to not convicting Ms Downes. Recognisance was set in the event of an appeal.