Corkman threatened to get others to harm ex-wife out of sight of CCTV, court told

Cork District Court heard the two had reached an agreement in the course of their divorce proceedings in another court and that the woman no longer wanted to purse the criminal complaint. File picture: Larry Cummins

A woman dropping clothing over to her ex-husband’s home told gardaí that he threatened he would get others to harm her out of sight of security cameras if she made any more complaints to the guards about her.

The complaint was made less than a month ago, and on Friday the woman indicated that she wanted to withdraw it.

Sergeant Dave Delea outlined this allegation at an in-camera hearing of Cork District Court where the case under the Domestic Violence Act was being heard. The 38-year-old man was arrested and charged and brought before the court.

He was accused of putting his ex-wife in fear in breach of a barring order granted under the Domestic Violence Act.

Sergeant Dave Delea said: “The injured party made a statement on June 26 at a garda station that on June 24 while dropping clothing to the home of her ex-partner, he stated to her that he would cause her harm if she contacted gardaí again about him.

“He stated that harm would be caused to her by other people and there would be no CCTV covering the area where harm would come to her.

“The injured party has now decided not to proceed with the complaint and she is in court to withdraw the allegations made.” 

The complainant who made the allegations against her ex-husband at her local garda station confirmed on Friday that she did not wish to continue with the complaint.

She said they had reached an agreement in the course of their divorce proceedings in another court and that she no longer wanted to purse the criminal complaint.

Judge Mary Dorgan asked: “Are you under duress to withdraw this today?” The complainant replied: “No.” 

Judge Dorgan said she would adjourn the matter until September 9. Bail conditions require the accused not to interfere directly or indirectly with any witness in the case. The accused was represented in court by solicitor Eddie Burke.