A seperated couple at the centre of a domestic abuse case still share the same house, the man living upstairs and his ex-partner on the ground floor. The man was charged with assaulting his ex-partner and breach of a safety order.
Galway District Court heard how the male knocked on his ex-partner’s door at midnight on November 13 last and subjected her to insulting names and degrading abuse. He had been drinking at the time and Gardaí were notified.
A similar incident occurred on February 14 this year, when he was again drunk and subjected his victim to more verbal abuse. He was on bail from the first incident at the time.
He again called on February 26 but on this occasion spat at his victim, pulled her hair and punched her. He was on bail from the first two incidents at the time.
Judge Valerie Corcoran was told the defendant was Polish and was living in this country for 21 years.
He rented the house and lived upstairs while his ex-partner lived downstairs. They had one child who is in foster care.
The Judge said she was most concerned that the defendant had assaulted his victim while on bail for the first two incidents.
A total of six months’ imprisonment were imposed and a fine of €500. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.
