'Benzos make my son a monster', Cork man says as he breaks down in court
A garda said the gardaí were concerned that the accused would intimidate his father if released on bail.
A man in fear of his son who is “a monster” when on benzodiazepines gave evidence in objection to the 25-year-old being released on bail but broke down in the witness box saying:
In an emotional case at an in camera hearing of Cork District Court today (July 8) the accused shouted from the dock at his father, accusing him of beating him as a child.
At one stage in the bail application the 25-year-old appeared to be forcing his way out of the dock and lunging in the direction of his father. Gardaí intervened and held him back as he shouted, “Get your f***ing hands off me.”
The parties cannot be identified as the case under the Domestic Violence Act was heard at an in camera hearing.
Garda Dinah Birnbaun said the gardaí were concerned that the accused would intimidate his father if released on bail.
The defendant’s father said:
The defendant then shouted, “I don’t need rehab. I am engaging with (various services in the community). Just because I won’t go to rehab he wants me to go to jail.” His father said:
“He has a chronic addiction. He is putting his siblings in fear. I love my son and I don’t want to be here.” The witness broke down in tears.
The defendant shouted at his father again:
Defence solicitor Aoife Buttimer said the defendant had particular concerns about his accommodation and issues arising with it. She asked the complainant if he had any problems with him his son when he is not on drugs.
He said he hadn’t, but added, “He takes benzos and he is like a monster. Everyone in the house has to lock doors. We are all afraid of him. We are like prisoners in our home.” The defendant said:
“You’re the only one afraid of me.”
He then said to Judge John King:
“Prison is not the place for me. I am doing well in the community. I am doing everything I can.
“He might be afraid of me on benzos, I understand that… I will never ever ever contact him again or arrive up at his doorstep.”
Judge King said that he did not for a moment doubt the genuineness of the defendant.
However, the judge concluded that the young man is “in active addiction.”
The accused was remanded in custody until July 15.
Ms Buttimer asked the judge to direct that all necessary assistance, including psychiatric assistance would be given to the accused in prison. Judge King asked that he would be given all appropriate medical attention and prescribed medicines while in prison.
The charge against the accused is one of breaching a safety order, specifically that at 3pm on Monday July 7 he put his father in fear with a voice message which stated he was going to call up to the house and cause him harm.
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