4 days ago
Drunk Cork man accused of ordering his mother out of the house and stealing her purse
A 30-year-old man got so intoxicated in his mother's home that he started banging walls in the living room and ordering her to get out of her own house — and on Friday he was remanded in custody.
He also grabbed her handbag and stole her purse, Garda David O'Driscoll testified at an in-camera hearing of Cork District Court, where the parties cannot be identified because of the charge under the Domestic Violence Act.
There was an objection to bail being granted to the accused because of Garda concerns that he would interfere with his mother.
'It is alleged she was in sitting in the living room. He had been asleep and he came down, intoxicated, under the influence of drugs. He began hitting the walls in the room and turned over the coffee table. He was shouting at his mother to f*** off and get out.
'As she was leaving, he pulled her handbag and stole a black purse from her handbag with about €20.
'She reported she was in fear for her safety. She went to stay with a family member last night.
'Gardaí went to the house and found the accused unable to walk unaided due to intoxication. She said she was in fear of the accused. She left her home because she was in fear of him returning,' Garda O'Driscoll testified.
Even though the complaint was only made by the defendant's mother on Thursday night, she was at Anglesea Street Garda Station on Friday trying to withdraw her complaint.
Sergeant Gearóid Davis said he understood she was trying to do her best for her son but he said it could not be withdrawn immediately without certain steps being taken within An Garda Síochána at a superintendent level.
Judge Mary Dorgan said the alleged breach of the safety order was not the only matter before the court and the young man also faced theft and public order charges.
The defendant's mother testified: 'Jail is not the place for him. He is an amazing lad once he gets support.'
Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the defendant wanted to get into rehabilitation.
Judge Dorgan said he was in no condition to be given bail on Friday. She remanded him in custody until June 13 and said the question of bail could be addressed again then, depending on progress towards getting into a residential facility.
The judge expressed concern the young man was not taking responsibility, while his mother was doing her best for him.
