Man who admitted putting ex-partner in fear pleads with judge not to be remanded in custody over job loss fear

A MAN who admitted putting his ex-partner in fear by breaching a safety order pleaded with a judge not to remand him in custody for fear that he would lose his job.

An in camera hearing of Cork District Court also heard that he failed to turn up for his case and had to be arrested.

Asked how it could have happened that he would miss a court appearance, the man, who cannot be identified, said: “It is my fault. I messed up.

“I have no excuse; 100% my fault. I am just clumsy.”

Judge Mary Dorgan told the man accused of breaching the order under the Domestic Violence Act and the failure to appear in court: “There is no room for ‘clumsy’ when it comes to court.”

A further aggravating factor in his case was that while he was out on bail he came to the attention of gardaí — drunk and a danger, in breach of his curfew by being out at shortly before 1am in the morning, and refusing to give gardaí his correct name and address.

Judge Dorgan said: “I am concerned about this gentleman.”

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant’s employer was outside the door of the private court, and was willing to come in to give evidence in the young man’s favour.

The accused man’s employer later confirmed that the man was a good worker, but that his job would be gone if he was remanded in custody.

Judge Dorgan agreed to adjourn the case until February 9 for sentencing and remanded the 30-year-old accused on bail.