Cork man broke protection order by sending 200 abusive messages to former partner, court told

The man is charged with two counts of breaching a protection order

The court heard the text messages, voice messages and video messages sent through Facebook and Instagram included abuse, suggesting she should kill herself as well as pictures and a video of the accused masturbating. File photo

A protection order did not stop a 36-year-old man sending 200 abusive and obscene text messages and videos to his ex-partner in 24 hours through Facebook and Instagram, it was alleged in court.

The man who has no previous convictions was arrested and brought before an in camera hearing of Cork District Court to deal with the case under the Domestic Violence Act. He is charged with two counts of breaching the protection order.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to the incidents which began when the parties encountered each other on a street in Cork on the bank holiday afternoon of Monday, October 27.

“The injured party currently holds a valid protection order against her ex-partner. She has made a statement to Gardai in which she alleges that at approximately 4pm on the afternoon of October 27 she was driving through Cork and another vehicle began beeping at her.

“When she looked in the rear-view mirror she instantly recognised the driver as her ex-partner who then drove up beside her and shouted through the window calling her a dirty rat and a whore.

“Subsequently, the injured party began receiving text messages, voice messages and video messages through Facebook and Instagram.

“On October 28 she received approximately over 200 messages, the content of which included abuse, calling her names such as tramp and whore, making a number of references to her, suggesting she should kill herself as well as pictures and a video of him masturbating,” Sgt. Davis said.

Bail proceedings

In an application for bail, defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said the accused was intoxicated at the time of the texts and video messages. He was upset at seeing someone else in the car with his ex-partner when they had the chance encounter.

Mr Collins-Daly said: “They were clearly abusive, insulting and obscene but there were no threats made to her.” 

The defendant said when he saw the person who was with his ex-partner he overreacted and went drinking straightaway. “My head went a little bad,” he said.

Judge Mary Dorgan granted him bail on conditions, including one of having no contact of any kind, direct or indirect, with the complainant — a requirement that is also present in the protection order. 

The case was put back until November 5 at Cork District Court. The bail is on his own bond of €750, of which €500 had to be lodged and an independent surety of €500 with €250 cash to be lodged.