Man who ’stupidly lashed out’ and broke safety order has jail term overturned - Courts News Ireland

A man who “very stupidly lashed out”, sending aggressive messages and speaking in a way that put his ex-partner in fear, has had his jail term for breaking protection and safety orders suspended on appeal. The man was convicted in the District Court of contravening a protection order on October 17, 2024 by communicating by electronic means with the injured

A man who “very stupidly lashed out”, sending aggressive messages and speaking in a way that put his ex-partner in fear, has had his jail term for breaking protection and safety orders suspended on appeal.

The man was convicted in the District Court of contravening a protection order on October 17, 2024 by communicating by electronic means with the injured party, contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. He received a three-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.

The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also convicted of breaching a safety order on May 28, 2025, under the same act. He was sentenced to one month imprisonment and later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence.

On Monday, a garda told the District Court Appeals Court that on October 17, 2024 the injured party presented at a garda station reporting a breach of an order by her ex-partner.

She said that between October 13 and 17 she had received a number of WhatsApp messages which put her in fear for her safety. He said that the messages were aggressive in nature.

The garda said that in the second matter, the injured party reported that her ex-partner had breached a safety order on May 28, 2025.

He said that the woman was dropping off her child to a pre-arranged meeting point and had brought her current partner.

The garda said that the appellant approached in an aggressive manner and spoke in a manner that put her in fear.

Defence counsel, Seán Prendiville BL, said that his client had “very stupidly lashed out” in relation to the text messages. He said that his client had “saw red and stupidly said something” in response to a personal dispute in the later incident.

He said that things have settled since this incident, that there have been no breaches and that access is ongoing. He said that there is no contact and no anticipation of contact.

Judge Alec Gabbett said it was “helpful” that things had settled down considerably and that the injured party and child are doing well.

Judge Gabbett said that the MOVE (Men Overcoming Violent Emotions) course is very important, as it also protects future partners, adding that was crucial that the defendant attends.

He noted that the man has nearly completed the MOVE course and the relationship is now tolerable.

The garda said that the injured party was hoping to avoid a custodial sentence for the benefit of the child.

Judge Gabbett decided to affirm the District Court order on the three-month suspended sentence from 2024.

In the other matter, Judge Gabbett said that there was a “tiny bit of volatility”, so he increased the one month sentence to three months but suspended it in full for 18 months.

He imposed the sentence under the condition that the defendant must complete the MOVE course, have civil contact with his ex-partner and abide by court orders.