'Woman complains to gardaí only after her ex runs out of money' man alleges

A woman who complained to the gardaí about her ex-partner does so only when his money runs out.

That’s according to the man’s solicitor Tim Kennelly, who told Naas District Court that the case arose after the man had “spent everything he had on her.”

The man was before the court for breaching the terms of a protection order and Garda Theresa Hegarty said he made no reply to a claim of breaching the order when he was arrested.

The garda said he had  had been in contact with the ex-partner and shouldn’t have been.

She said he was not abiding by bail conditions.

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Mr Kennelly described the relationship as toxic.

Referring to pictures handed in, Judge Desmond Zaidan said they showed the pair drinking Coors, a Cocktail as well as “kissing and cuddling.” The pictures showed them as a well known County Kildare venue.

Judge Zaidan commented that many cases like this do not proceed because the person who makes the complaint often does not follow it up.

He said protection orders are the most abused district court orders out there.

He also pointed out that when someone makes a complaint about another breaching the order then the subject of the complaint spends time in custody.

The  judge said he would not detain the man any further, but added that a protection order  is in place and remains so adding “you have to adhere to it.

He added the man had no right to “allegedly put her in fear.”

He said if this happens bail could be revoked and the man could be in custody for a long time.

He granted bail, telling the man he must sign on every Saturday and stay out of the town where she lives and to have no contact at all.

The defendant said he would “never look at her again” and the case was adjourned.