Deaf man told to stay out of county over harassment of family
John McGrotty, aged 65, appeared before Falcarragh District Court yesterday just days after a judge told him to stay away from Dr Dara McEniff, his wife Eimear, and their children.
The court had heard how McGrotty had subjected the family from Dungloe to a five-year reign of terror.
As well as standing in his front lawn naked, McGrotty is accused of throwing rusty nails onto the McEniffs’ driveway, using a hose to spray their cars with water, using obscene finger gestures to their children, and shouting obscenities at them.
McGrotty, of St Peter’s Terrace, Chapel Rd, Dungloe, had pleaded guilty to harassing the couple when he appeared at Dungloe District Court on Wednesday last week.
McGrotty admitted harassing and stalking Dara and Eimear McEniff and their family at Pairc Naomh Anna, Chapel Rd, between July 7, 2014 and December 11, 2014. He also admitted harassing and stalking Eimear McEniff at St Peter’s Terrace between August 1, 2013, and July 24, 2014.
In the court hearing last week, Judge Paul Kelly said he was anxious to ensure the harassment wouldn’t continue while he awaited a probation report and a victim impact statement. He instructed McGrotty not to pass the McEniff children’s school when it is open.
Through an interpreter, McGrotty swore he had stopped the harassment and that all he wanted was a peaceful and calm life.
Judge Kelly adjourned last week’s case until September 13 and warned McGrotty that if he breached his oath, he would be in contempt of court and could face a custodial sentence.
However, McGrotty was brought to court again yesterday after Mrs McEniff complained she had been harassed by the accused yet again on Friday last.
She pleaded with Judge Kelly to act on the matter as her family had been through a living nightmare for the past five years.
Judge Kelly was told that a sign language interpreter could not be made available for yesterday’s court sitting and McGrotty’s solicitor Patsy Gallagher said he needed an interpreter for his client to give evidence.
Judge Kelly said he had decided to order McGrotty to live outside of Donegal with his daughter in Glasnevin in Dublin.
He asked that a letter be written by the court service instructing McGrotty of his decision.
He adjourned the case until June 14.
