Man, 36, allegedly sent 200 messages to ex in 24 hours

A protection order did not stop a 36-year-old man from sending 200 abusive and obscene text messages and videos to his ex-partner in 24 hours, through Facebook and Instagram, it was alleged in court.

The man, who has no previous convictions, was arrested and brought before an in-camera hearing of Cork District Court to deal with the case under the Domestic Violence Act.

He is charged with two counts of breaching the protection order.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background.

The incidents kicked off when the parties encountered each other on a street in Cork on the bank holiday Monday afternoon of October 27.

Sgt Davis said: “The injured party currently holds a valid protection order against her ex-partner.

“She has made a statement to gardaí, alleging that at approximately 4pm on the afternoon of October 27, she was driving through Cork and another vehicle began beeping at her.

“When she looked in the rear-view mirror, she instantly recognised the driver as her ex-partner, who then drove up beside her and shouted through the window, calling her a dirty rat and a whore.

“Subsequently, the injured party began receiving text messages, voice messages, and video messages through Facebook and Instagram. On October 28, she received approximately 200 messages, the content of which included abuse, calling her names — such as tramp and whore — making a number of references to her, suggesting she should kill herself, as well as pictures and a video of him masturbating,” Sgt Davis said.

In an application for bail, defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said the accused was intoxicated at the time of the texts and video messages.

He was upset at seeing someone else in the car with his ex-partner, when they had the chance encounter.

Mr Collins-Daly said: “They were clearly abusive, insulting, and obscene, but there were no threats made to her.”

The defendant said that when he saw the person who was with his ex-partner, he over-reacted and went drinking straightaway. “My head went a little bad,” he said.

Judge Mary Dorgan granted him bail and the case was put back until November 5 at Cork District Court.

The bail is on his own bond of €750, of which €500 had to be lodged; and with an independent surety of €500, with €250 cash to be lodged.