Cork woman in constant fear of former partner who called her 'sneaky skank'

A young man who posted a picture of his former partner on social media calling her a “sneaky skank”, and on another occasion smashed a window at her home with a yard brush, has been jailed for two months.

Judge Catherine Ryan imposed that sentence on the 29-year-old at an in-camera hearing of Cork District Court where the parties cannot be named as it relates to matters under the Domestic Violence Act.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy outlined the details of breaches of the young woman’s safety order by her former partner that put her in fear.

On November 13, 2025, he posted a photograph of her on social media, captioned with words that included the insult “sneaky skank”, and the remark that she has so much power over him that making the post online could result in him getting arrested.

Sgt Murphy said that this put the woman in fear.

The young woman was also put in fear by abusive voice notes that he sent to her on December 7, 2025.

On January 9 this year, she was put in fear again when he picked up a yard brush outside her house and smashed a window in her front door, causing €500 worth of damage.

ACCESS TO CHILD

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said that the defendant was unable to get access to his child, and that this was frustrating him. He said that the defendant was texting in the early hours of the morning when he was drunk.

Judge Ryan said: “He clearly has an issue with anger. His frustration led to an outburst. He has some history here with convictions in relation to assault.”

The judge noted from the victim’s statement: “She is in constant fear. She wakes every single morning and looks out to see that her car is intact.”

As for the defendant, Judge Ryan said: “Being under the influence of intoxicants is not an excuse to put someone in fear, particularly the mother of your child. These are serious matters.”