Court hears man’s violent rage over messy house left wife 'terrified'

David Forsythe

A man who stuck a knife in door next to his wife during a violent rage has been remanded on bail pending the submission of a report from the Probation Service.

Inspector Paul Aherne told Mallow District Court that the man aged in his 40s was charged with the production of an article in the course of a dispute and threatening to kill or cause serious harm, relating to an incident that occurred in North Cork in July 2022. The accused pleaded guilty to both charges.

Giving evidence Garda Carmel Nash said that the accused’s wife made a complaint to Macroom Garda Station in July 2022. The injured party who was heavily pregnant at the time said that she got up on the morning in question to look after their two-year-old child who was an early riser.

She said that at about 11am the man got up and began “roaring and shouting” about the condition of the house.

She said he was complaining to her about “the mess” and grabbed her arm and continued to shout and act aggressively. She said that she put her two-year-old into the playroom and stood by the door to protect the child from the violent outburst.

The court heard that during the outburst the man threatened to stab the injured party and forced a knife into the door next to her. Following the complaint he was arrested and made admissions.

Giving evidence the injured party said that she was “terrified” by the indecent which has had a “lasting effect” on her. She said that she suffered bruises as a result and had to place her child in the playroom “hoping he wouldn’t stab him.” She told the court that she had since separated from the man and moved to an address two and a half hours’ drive away.

Defence solicitor Niall O’Sullivan said that the accused had no previous convictions and was very apologetic for what happened. He said that his client was employed by a contractor that worked with the HSE and his role required garda vetting.

He said that a conviction would result in the accused losing his job. He added that the man also suffered from depression and anxiety and was undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy.

Judge Colm Roberts said that the accused had five years to apologise and his apology at such a late stage was “pretty meaningless” and seemed “more like damage limitation.”

He said that given the man had no previous convictions he was going to seek a probation and welfare report with particular emphasis on his “violent emotions” and “victim empathy.”

The case was adjourned until May 13 to allow time for the report to be completed.