Latest news with #Fottrell
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Irish Independent
'I never knew what fear was until I encountered this': Woman tells court of ex's repeated breaches of safety order
The District Court heard that the man had turned up at his former partner's home twice within a week, in what a judge described as 'clear breaches' of court-imposed restrictions. The defendant received a two-month suspended sentence after he was convicted of breaching the order. The court heard that the man was prohibited from attending the woman's property under the terms of a three-year safety order granted in May 2023. The order barred him from contacting his former partner or attending her home, limiting contact to email and only for child access matters. The complainant told the court that she now lives in constant fear, saying: 'I never knew what fear was until I encountered this.' The man, aged in his 50s, denied two counts of breaching a safety order under Section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018, on 13 and 19 September 2024. The case was heard in camera before Judge Conor Fottrell at Dún Laoghaire District Court. The woman told the court she had blocked the man's number years ago and only used a dedicated email address to communicate. All children-related custody handovers took place in a neutral location - a local car park - not at her home. On September 13, 2024, she said she looked out her window and saw the man outside with a paper bag and a box of toys. 'He doesn't leave when he turns up. I felt I had to go out,' she said. 'He said he had maintenance money in the bag. But he already has my bank details. He should not have been near our home.' A few days later, on September 19, she said she was helping her child off a school bus when the man appeared again. 'He was very high, very animated,' she said. 'He said he'd learned Irish in a weekend and Spanish in a week. His partner was there too. It was two of them and just me. I didn't feel I could safely bring my child inside.' ADVERTISEMENT She told the court both encounters left her unsettled and fearful. 'It just makes me so afraid. It makes me lose trust in the legal system because I had a safety order in place - and he still showed up. "Every time I see a car the same colour as his, I panic. It affects my motivation to live. I can't be free. I don't deserve this. I'm trying to raise the children. One of them has huge medical needs. I need to be focused on them, and instead I'm living in fear. He's put fear into my phone - I don't even feel safe when it rings. I never knew what fear really was until I encountered this.' The accused told the court he believed he had permission to attend on September 13, claiming he had emailed to say he would drop off money. However, he agreed that this email wasn't shown to the court. 'I thought things might improve,' he said. 'I didn't enter the house or cause any trouble.' Judge Fottrell said: 'The terms of the order are unambiguous. He was not permitted to attend at the property. No email regarding this was produced. Even if one had been, it wouldn't authorise this.' He said he found the woman's evidence 'credible and consistent,' adding: 'You have been incredibly brave and should be commended. No one should have to live in fear.' The man was sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for 12 months, on condition he stay away from the woman's home and fully comply with the safety order. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Sunday World
28-06-2025
- Sunday World
Woman (50s) convicted after threatening husband and verbally abusing daughter
The woman, aged in her 50s, pleaded guilty to three breaches of a protection order her husband had obtained against her in September 2024. A woman has been convicted and fined for repeatedly breaching a protection order granted in favour of her husband - with a judge warning of the long-term emotional impact on their child. She appeared before Judge Conor Fottrell at the District Court on Wednesday. The woman, aged in her 50s, pleaded guilty to three breaches of a protection order her husband had obtained against her in September 2024. Gardaí told the court that on one occasion in early October, at the family home, the woman shouted abusive language at her husband, calling him 'useless", "gay" and a 'f**kwit" - leaving him in fear. She also directed verbal abuse at their daughter, calling her 'an itinerant', 'fat' and a 'stupid slut' and shouted 'where are your sluts?', which also left the child in fear. File image of an Irish courtroom. News in 90 Seconds - June 28th Further breaches occurred in late September, when she shouted: 'I'll mop the floor with you,' and, in a separate incident, verbally abused her husband in a way that again caused fear. The court heard there was no physical violence and that the woman had voluntarily left the home as a condition of bail. She has no previous convictions. After reading victim impact statements from both the husband and the couple's daughter, Judge Fottrell said the breaches were 'very serious matters' and that the court was 'particularly concerned about the emotional impact on the child". "Not to preach to the defendant,' he said, 'but the effect this has had on the child is very concerning - and that's going to take time to repair.' He noted the victim - her husband, had spoken 'with a heavy heart', and described the accused as 'obviously someone with personal difficulties". Defence counsel, Andrew Forde BL, said the woman had been married to the victim for a long period and was previously the main earner in the household but developed alcohol issues after being made redundant. She is now nine months into recovery and fully engaged with treatment at the Rutland Centre. Judge Fottrell said he was 'not convinced a custodial sentence was appropriate", given the woman's guilty plea, work history and ongoing efforts to address her issues. "I believe she has made efforts to turn things around,' he said. 'But the statement from her child provided to the court today was very concerning. I hope you've learned your lesson in all of this.' He convicted her and imposed a €500 fine, with six months to pay. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
28-06-2025
- Irish Independent
'I'll mop the floor with you' – Woman convicted of repeatedly breaching protection order after threatening husband
She appeared before Judge Conor Fottrell at the District Court on Wednesday. The woman, aged in her 50s, pleaded guilty to three breaches of a protection order her husband had obtained against her in September 2024. Gardaí told the court that on one occasion in early October, at the family home, the woman shouted abusive language at her husband, calling him 'useless", "gay" and a 'f**kwit" - leaving him in fear. She also directed verbal abuse at their daughter, calling her 'an itinerant', 'fat' and a 'stupid slut' and shouted 'where are your sluts?', which also left the child in fear. Further breaches occurred in late September, when she shouted: 'I'll mop the floor with you,' and, in a separate incident, verbally abused her husband in a way that again caused fear. The court heard there was no physical violence and that the woman had voluntarily left the home as a condition of bail. She has no previous convictions. After reading victim impact statements from both the husband and the couple's daughter, Judge Fottrell said the breaches were 'very serious matters' and that the court was 'particularly concerned about the emotional impact on the child". "Not to preach to the defendant,' he said, 'but the effect this has had on the child is very concerning - and that's going to take time to repair.' He noted the victim - her husband, had spoken 'with a heavy heart', and described the accused as 'obviously someone with personal difficulties". Defence counsel, Andrew Forde BL, said the woman had been married to the victim for a long period and was previously the main earner in the household but developed alcohol issues after being made redundant. She is now nine months into recovery and fully engaged with treatment at the Rutland Centre. ADVERTISEMENT Judge Fottrell said he was 'not convinced a custodial sentence was appropriate", given the woman's guilty plea, work history and ongoing efforts to address her issues. "I believe she has made efforts to turn things around,' he said. 'But the statement from her child provided to the court today was very concerning. I hope you've learned your lesson in all of this.' He convicted her and imposed a €500 fine, with six months to pay. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Sunday World
07-06-2025
- Sunday World
Grandad who stole alcohol using wire cutter to pay drug debt is spared jail
'These are serious matters - stealing alcohol in order to pay off a drug debt is not acceptable' A 54-year-old man who stole 17 bottles of spirits to repay a drug debt has been given a probation bond. Brian Early, of St Joseph's Avenue, Newbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to theft, possession of stolen property and possession of certain articles in relation to two incidents in February last year. The court heard that on February 12, 2024, Early stole 17 bottles of alcohol worth €660 from Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt, Dublin 18. Detective Sergeant Wendy Byrne told the court that Early had removed the security tags from the bottles using wire cutters. He had made a small payment for a packet of toilet rolls to give the impression of a legitimate purchase. Photo: Getty. Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 July 2025 She said the theft was premeditated and that two bottles of Bombay Sapphire gin, worth €50 to €60 each, were recovered. When asked by Judge Conor Fottrell if all of the stolen goods had been retrieved, Sgt Byrne said not all were recovered, but the total value taken was approximately €700. Silvia-Maria Crowley BL, counsel for the defence, said Early, a father and grandfather, had developed a serious addiction to crack cocaine in recent years. After a five-year battle with cancer and the death of his father, his life became 'chaotic,' the court was told. She said her client stole the alcohol to repay a drug debt, but has since gone cold turkey and remained clean for the past 10 months. The court heard he did not attend a formal drug programme but had sought support from Pieta House after a previous mental health crisis. Ms Crowley said that her client receives a disability allowance and had entered guilty pleas at an early stage. He is no longer in counselling but is making efforts to rebuild his life, the court heard. Judge Fottrell noted the court was told the offences arose out of a drug debt. "That may well be the case - but it's ridiculous. You need to sort it out,' he told the defendant. 'These are serious matters - stealing alcohol in order to pay off a drug debt is not acceptable. But I accept you've taken steps to address your situation,' he added. Taking into account the guilty plea, Early's personal circumstances and his engagement with support services, Judge Fottrell imposed a 12-month probation bond on condition that Early keeps the peace and engages in good behaviour. 'I suggest you continue to engage with Pieta House and any further counselling available to you,' the judge said. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Sunday World
07-06-2025
- Sunday World
Judge tells man whose partner died after festival drug use it is ‘one of the saddest cases'
The court heard that Mr Carroll and his girlfriend had attended the Forbidden Fruit festival on June 2, 2024, where they both consumed drugs A 24-year-old man whose partner died after they both took drugs following a music festival has avoided a conviction for simple possession, in what a judge described as "one of the saddest cases" to come before his court. The District Court was told that the defendant Brian Carroll has now made a commitment to living a "drug-free life". Mr Carroll, of Cedarmount Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to possession of MDMA and cannabis and appeared before Judge Conor Fottrell at Dún Laoghaire District Court on Wednesday. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - 7th June The court heard that Mr Carroll and his girlfriend had attended the Forbidden Fruit festival on June 2, 2024, where they both consumed drugs, while further substances were taken later at a house in south Dublin. The woman was found unresponsive later that night and died as a result. Mr Carroll had been in a relationship with the deceased for two and a half years. Gardaí who carried out a search of the house recovered cannabis worth €44, €16 of MDMA and a small quantity of cocaine. Garda Harry Poole told the court that the drugs were for personal use and were at the lower end of the scale. The court heard that Mr Carroll later voluntarily attended a garda station, gave a full account of what occurred and has not come to garda attention since. Judge Fottrell initially questioned whether the District Court had jurisdiction to hear the case, given the serious background circumstances. 'I appreciate the plea before the court today, but this is a serious matter,' he said. 'I'm not sure it's a District Court matter.' Defence solicitor Mark O'Sullivan said it was a tragic accident and argued that the case before the court concerned a minor possession matter. 'That's all the court is being asked to hear today,' he said. After considering the details, Judge Fottrell accepted jurisdiction. 'On the basis of what's before me, the circumstances are tragic. I'll accept jurisdiction.' Mr O'Sullivan told the court that Mr Carroll and the deceased had bought the drugs together, but the woman had taken more than his client. He said his client was fully cooperative, had no previous convictions, and had voluntarily presented himself to Gardaí. Letters were handed into court from Kilmacud Medical Centre and the Community Addiction Response Programme. The court heard Mr Carroll had engaged in trauma counselling following the incident, tested negative for drugs in recent months and remained in full-time employment. He had also volunteered with Little Flower Penny Dinners during the Covid-19 pandemic. The woman's father and sister were present in court. 'On behalf of my client, I extend our sympathies to the family,' Mr O'Sullivan said. 'Relations remain good between them. This was an absolute tragedy.' In a personal letter to the court, the man expressed remorse and a commitment to living a drug-free life. Judge Fottrell acknowledged the man's remorse, the steps he had taken since and the tragic nature of the case. 'This is a tragic case,' he said. 'The consequences were anything but minor. However, the value of the drugs involved is low, and there are no previous convictions". 'You've pleaded guilty, made full admissions, and taken meaningful steps since. I don't propose to impose a conviction. "This is one of the most unusual and saddest cases to come before the court. I hope you continue your recovery," the judge said, addressing the defendant. Judge Fottrell concluded the matter without a conviction, following a €1,000 charitable donation. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
