Jailed for ‘grossly threatening texts’

A man has been jailed for sending “grossly threatening” text messages to his ex-girlfriend after she started seeing someone else.

Dean Brennan, aged 28, made threats to shoot Louise Hanna, blow her head off, burn her house down, and kill her and her new partner.

Brennan, of Casement Park, Finglas, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to Ms Hanna at McKee Park, Finglas, on December 18 last year. He also admitted harassing Ms Hanna on December 26.

Judge Pauline Codd imposed a four-year prison sentence but suspended the last two years on condition Brennan remain drug and alcohol free and continue to receive counselling.

She ordered Brennan not to communicate by any means with the victims or their families or to approach within half a mile of their homes or workplace for a period of seven years.

The court heard Brennan had only recently been released from prison when he sent the threatening texts to Ms Hanna. The couple had been in a relationship for four years. When it ended Brennan reacted in an “unacceptable” way, said Grainne O’Neill, defending.

He sent her 13 texts in one day. In these texts he said, “I’ll die before I see you two together”, “I will not hesitate to put you in the ground”, and “I’m going to fucking murder you”. He called the couple “sad junkies”, later texting: “I want five grand by the end of the week otherwise I’m going to blow your head off your shoulders”. The accused also said he would burn her house down if he found her new partner there.

On the second date, he sent 11 texts to the victims and told Ms Hanna he was on his way over. Brennan’s text said, “Swear on me kid’s life, you are dead, you’ll be lucky if I don’t get youse tonight... gonna cut you to pieces”.

Ms Hanna said her life had changed since the threats because she was now afraid to go out and do normal things. “He won’t let me live a happy life. He said if he can’t have me no one else will. I’m afraid that when he does get released he will continue to hurt me.”

Ms O’Neill told the court her client had not accepted the relationship was well and truly over and that his reaction was completely unacceptable. She said he was embarrassed and sorry and was happy to obey the barring order.

She said he was highly intoxicated at the time and had a drink and drugs problem. Counsel said he had since completed a course in non-violence and a drugs recovery programme.