‘No contact whatsoever’: Donegal Judge’s stark warning to man granted bail - Donegal Daily

A Donegal man facing two alleged breaches of a domestic violence order has been granted bail under strict conditions, despite Garda objections over concerns abo...

A Donegal man facing two alleged breaches of a domestic violence order has been granted bail under strict conditions, despite Garda objections over concerns about possible witness interference

The man, who is in his 50s and cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Judge Emile Daly at Letterkenny District Court.

The man was brought to court by Gardai having been arrested at 11pm the previous night. He was charged at 12.25am on October 9, 2026 and made no reply to either charge after caution, a Garda told the court. He was charged with two counts of breaching a domestic violence order, contrary to section 33 (1) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018.

Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle informed the court that there was an objection to bail on the grounds of possible witness interference.

A Garda told the court that the man had entered bail on two occasions recently after two alleged breaches of a domestic violence order.

“It is my belief that if the accused is granted bail, he would commit further offences,” the Garda said, adding that there were now two further allegations of breaches.

The court heard that a woman received two phone calls from the man, who made allegations to her.

The court heard that the man was homeless for a period after his marriage broke down, but he has since made arrangements.

Judge Daly said that the court takes matters such as this very serious, but added that it needs to be based on evidence available.

As she had not heard from the woman about her being in fear, Judge Daly said she was not satisfied with the objection.

Bail was granted on strict conditions, including that the man sign on three times a week at a Garda station. He was ordered to stay out of the town in which the woman is residing and to abide by the court order that is in place.

“No contact whatsoever with the injured party,” Judge Daly warned, “not by waving across the road, a thumbs up or whatever it is - no contact.”

Judge Daly added: “The conditions need to be strictly adhered to and any breach will be problematic from the accused’s point of view.”