Man breached barring order to bring cooking apples to ex-wife's Cork home

Defendant, who had been convicted of breaching barring order four times previously, told  court he brought the apples because his former wife 'would be a good cook'

Judge jailed defendant for 10 months for this latest breach of a barring order. Picture: Dan Linehan

A 53-year-old man who has been repeatedly convicted of putting his wife in fear was captured on CCTV in the early hours of the morning outside her home, but he testified she was a great cook and he was bringing her cooking apples.

Judge Mary Dorgan said: “This man is in denial. It is incredible that he would think a court might entertain that as an excuse — it is beyond belief. I was hoping I might get some plausible explanation. What he has said to the court is beyond insulting.” 

Judge Dorgan jailed him for 10 months for this latest breach of a barring order. He was convicted four times since 2019 of the same offence but never got more than a suspended sentence. He appeared to be shocked at getting the sentence of 10 months imprisonment for this latest breach.

Fixing recognisances in the event of an appeal, the judge set the independent surety at €5,000, of which €1,500 must be lodged in cash. 

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant would not be able to raise this. Parties to this in-camera case cannot be identified.

The latest breach of barring order by the man against his ex-wife was captured by CCTV at her home in Cork in the early hours of August 8.

The victim said she could not afford the installation of CCTV at her home but she had to get it because of the constant appearance of her ex-husband outside her house.

Garda Daniel O’Callaghan investigated the complaint. CCTV showed the accused moving around on his knees at the back of the car belonging to his ex-wife’s partner. The following morning, apples were found on the ground behind this car.

“What he was doing with the apples at the back of the car I can only speculate,” Garda O’Callaghan said.

Mr Buttimer said: “I am concerned with the lack of candour by the defendant.” 

The solicitor called the accused to give evidence when Judge Dorgan said: “I would like to hear what his intention was with the apples?” The 53-year-old said, “[ex-wife’s Christian name] would be a good cook and I brought her up cooking apples.” His arrival outside the house was caught on camera at 1.06am on August 8.

The judge then repeated the question: “You were sneaking around on your hands and knees, what were you doing with the apples?” He replied, “I don’t know.” 

If the defendant does raise bail, he must not go within 5km of his ex-wife’s home. Sergeant Gearóid Davis warned the accused about future offending and said the repeated breaches of the barring order were now bordering on harassment, and a conviction for that offence could result in him being jailed for a number of years.