Woman accuses ex-partner of threatening to kill her after wrapping belt around his fist

'Pepper spray was deployed and he was arrested,' garda tells bail hearing in Cork

Judge David Waters reminded the accused man that the gardaí had given sworn evidence that he made threats to kill the complainant. File picture: Larry Cummins

A woman was assaulted by her ex-partner who wrapped a belt around his fist and punched her in the face and threatened to kill her, it was alleged at Cork District Court.

Garda Ricky Parker said there was an objection to bail being granted to the accused because of garda concerns that he would interfere with the complainant if granted bail.

Garda Parker outlined the background to the incident which allegedly occurred at around 8.30pm on Saturday, October 17.

Gardaí responded to a call about a domestic incident, he said. "Gardaí observed a woman at the window of an upstairs window calling for help. Gardaí immediately entered the property and observed a male banging at the bedroom door shouting and roaring, threatening to kill this woman.

“Gardaí directed him to desist but he failed to do so. Pepper spray was deployed and he was arrested."

Garda Parker said a statement of complaint was taken from the woman, who alleged her ex-partner had arrived at her home in a highly intoxicated state. "She said he removed his belt from his trousers, wrapped it around his fist, and struck her in the face. 

"He allegedly punched her with the hand the belt was wrapped around.

“She said she then fled and locked herself into an upstairs bedroom but he followed her up the stairs and started banging the door and threatened to kill her. 

"She believed the threats to be real and that he was capable of carrying out the threats,” Garda Parker told the bail hearing.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the defendant was denying he had anything to do with this and claimed it did not happen.

The defendant then testified that the complainant asked him to come to the house and that he was welcome there.

In relation to Garda concerns that he would try to contact or intimidate her, he said: “I won’t.” 

He said he lived outside Co Cork and could continue to do so.

Judge David Waters reminded the accused man that the gardaí had given sworn evidence that he made threats to kill the complainant. 

He told the judge: “I swear it did not happen.” 

Judge Waters said he could not conceive of any bail conditions that would address the concerns raised and he remanded the accused in custody until October 23.

Charges against the defendant include one of assault and another of making a threat to kill her.