Cork prisoner who sent greeting card to ex-wife breached protection order 

Man visited woman's home to tell her she was a 'bad person'

Judge Catherine Ryan said she would request a probation report before sentencing the defendant at Cork District Court on June 17.

Sending a greeting card from prison could have landed a 53-year-old man back in jail as the communication was sent to his ex-wife who has a protection order against him.

At Cork District Court today the man pleaded guilty to breaching the protection order on this occasion — on August 13 2025 — and breaching it again more recently when he turned up outside her house.

Frank Buttimer solicitor said at the in camera case, where the parties to the Domestic Violence Act matter cannot be named, that there was nothing sinister in the greeting card which was sent to mark an anniversary.

However, it was acknowledged that the sending of the card was a breach of the court order as he was required to have no contact with her, directly or indirectly, of any kind.

Judge Catherine Ryan said that she was more concerned about the second incident that was described in court by Sergeant John Dineen.

The 53-year-old arrived outside her home on February 22 this year, banged on the door, called her a “bad person” and shouted to “open the f***ing door”.

The woman said in a victim impact statement that she was put in fear by both breaches.

She said he did not realise and accept that they are not getting back together. She went on to say that he needed support to deal with his alcohol addiction.

He has eight previous convictions for breach of a domestic order.

On being told that he was already cooperating with the probation service, Judge Ryan said she would request a probation report before sentencing the defendant on June 17 and he was remanded on continuing bail until then.