Cork woman woke up to find bloodstained cross carved into headboard of bed

Man accused of breaching protection order remanded in custody until December 16

The woman gave evidence as the prosecution objected to bail being granted to her ex-partner.

A woman was terrified when she woke to find what she described as a Christian cross carved into the headboard of her bed and stained with blood.

The young woman gave this evidence as the prosecution objected to bail being granted to her ex-partner who is accused of four counts of breaching a protection order.

When the man was called by defence solicitor Eddie Burke to give evidence in his application for bail, he approached the witness box and blessed himself before entering it and swearing on the Bible before giving evidence.

The matter was dealt with at an in camera court for domestic violence cases, where the parties cannot be identified.

Mr Burke asked the accused: “Did you do the sign of the cross on the headboard?” 

The 34-year-old replied: “On my side, because I have nightmares.” 

The complainant said that she was in fear of her ex-partner and alleged that he breached her protection order by putting her in fear on four occasions between December 5 and December 8.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused the application for bail and remanded him in custody until December 16 at Cork District Court.