Latest news with #safetyorder
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Bruce Springsteen 'wouldn't be too happy' music used to breach safety order, court hears
A man who broke a safety order by sending a woman videos of a Bruce Springsteen concert has had his conviction removed on appeal. Judge Christopher Callan said that he was sure Springsteen 'would not be too happy' to see his music being used in this way and that the man's actions were not in line with the singer's message as a performing artist. Advertisement The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty in the District Court to the breach of a safety order contrary to section 33 (1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. He received a one-month suspended sentence in March 2025 and later lodged an appeal against the severity of that term. Garda Rachel O'Mahony told the District Court Appeals Court that on June 20th, 2024, the injured party reported to gardaí that the man had breached a safety order on three different occasions. She said that on dates between February 2nd, 2024, and June 20th, 2024, the man sent the injured party text messages to her mobile phone. Advertisement Garda O'Mahony said that these messages included videos taken at a Bruce Springsteen concert in Croke Park and a YouTube link. He said that the woman said that this communication put her in fear. She also presented a victim impact statement to the judge which was not read aloud in court. Defence counsel for the man, Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL, said that her client cooperated fully with the gardaí and did not dispute the charges. She said that he has sincere remorse for the hurt caused by his actions and this is not a pattern of behaviour which will continue in the future. Advertisement Ms Ní Chathasaigh confirmed to the judge that the safety order has already been extended to last until 2030 with consent from her client. She said that her client is not seeking to avoid accountability but having a conviction would have life-altering effects in regards to his employment or possible future travel. Judge Callan said the victim impact statement was very clear about the extent of the fear that the injured party experienced. He said that the videos were 'intending to give a certain message' to the injured party, which was explained in her victim impact statement. Judge Callan decided to remove the man's criminal conviction on the condition that he pays a donation of €1,000 to Women's Aid, noting that the safety order remains in place until 2030.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Man who sent Springsteen concert videos has conviction for breaching order removed
A man who broke a safety order by sending a woman videos of a Bruce Springsteen concert has had his conviction removed on appeal. Judge Christopher Callan said that he was sure Springsteen 'would not be too happy' to see his music being used in this way and that the man's actions were not in line with the singer's message as a performing artist. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty in the District Court to the breach of a safety order contrary to section 33 (1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. He received a one-month suspended sentence in March 2025 and later lodged an appeal against the severity of that term. READ MORE Gda Rachel O'Mahony told the District Court Appeals Court that on June 20th, 2024, the injured party reported to gardaí that the man had breached a safety order on three occasions. She said that on dates between February 2nd, 2024, and June 20th, 2024, the man sent the injured party text messages to her mobile phone. Gda O'Mahony said that these messages included videos taken at a Bruce Springsteen concert in Croke Park and a YouTube link. Gda O'Mahony said the woman said this communication put her in fear. She also presented a victim-impact statement to the judge that was not read aloud in court. Defence counsel for the man, Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL, said her client co-operated fully with the gardaí and did not dispute the charges. She said he has sincere remorse for the hurt caused by his actions and this is not a pattern of behaviour that will continue in the future. Ms Ní Chathasaigh confirmed to the judge that the safety order has already been extended to last until 2030 with consent from her client. She said her client is not seeking to avoid accountability but having a conviction would have life-altering effects in regards to his employment or possible travel. Judge Callan said the victim-impact statement was very clear about the extent of the fear that the injured party experienced. He said the videos were 'intending to give a certain message' to the injured party, which was explained in her victim-impact statement. Judge Callan decided to remove the man's criminal conviction on the condition he pays a donation of €1,000 to Women's Aid, noting the safety order remains in place until 2030.
BreakingNews.ie
16-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man who posted video of ex-wife backed with 'abusive' rap has jail sentence overturned
A man who broke a safety order by posting a video of his ex-wife on Facebook with 'abusive' rap music over it has had his four-month jail sentence replaced with a suspended term on appeal. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, posted a video of four pictures on a loop, one of which showed his former wife in a swimsuit on a beach with her face distorted. Advertisement He had pleaded guilty in the District Court to breaching a safety order contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 on June 13th, 2024, but lodged an appeal against his sentence. Garda Noel McBrearty told the District Court Appeals Court on Wednesday that gardaí received a report from the injured party that her former husband had breached a safety order. He said that gardaí were made aware of a video posted to the man's Facebook page, which featured rap music playing over four images on a continuous loop. Garda McBrearty said that the first image was of the injured party wearing a swimsuit on a beach, the second image featured the woman's new partner, the third showed a vehicle the woman had previously owned, and the fourth was another picture of the woman. Advertisement He said the injured party told him that the rap music had lyrics which were 'abusive in nature'. Garda McBrearty said that all of the images had digitally distorted facial features, but the injured party was able to identify herself in the pictures. Defence counsel for the man, Chloe Geraghty BL, said that her client recognised the 'stupidity' in posting the video on a public platform, although the woman was blocked from his page at the time. She said that the man had a very difficult time accepting the relationship was over, but has now moved on. Advertisement Judge Christopher Callan told the defendant that he breached the safety order less than a month after it was issued, adding that he was not sure the man understood what he was obliged to do under the order. Ireland Landlord Marc Godart seeks court go-ahead to take... Read More The appellant told the judge that he now understands and apologised for his actions, adding that he will not do it again. Judge Callan told the man that he was 'running out of road rapidly' but decided to suspend the sentence of four months for the period of 12 months on the condition that he keeps the peace and abides with the directions of the safety order to not to contact the injured party by any means. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women's Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@ or Men's Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@ for support and information. Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Irish Times
Judge grants safety order to woman after letters received from violent prisoner
A judge has granted a safety order to a woman against a prisoner with a history of violence against women after she received two letters from him. The Co Clare woman sought the court protection after she received two letters, including a Valentine's Day card, from the man who is serving a sentence at Limerick Prison. She said in the past, the man has subjected her to beatings and coercive control but he has not faced any criminal charges concerning those allegations. The man has a history of violence against women and is serving a long sentence for an offence carried out on an also has other convictions for assault against other ex-partners. READ MORE In response to the woman's safety order application the man told Judge Alec Gabbett at Ennis Family Court: 'I have no objections – just give the order. Just give her everything she wants.' The judge granted the woman a five-year safety order and with the man due for release in 2028, the judge warned the man he may be returned to prison if he breaches the order after release in 2028. When initially seeking a protection order against the man, the woman told the judge she is 'terrified' of him. 'It is very upsetting, very traumatic,' she said. The woman handed in the Valentine's Day card and a second letter into court for the judge to read. He said there is a mark on the back of the envelope to show the prison censor had gone through it. 'They are unwanted letters and contain all kinds of declarations or admirations,' noted the judge. 'It is very erratic. You would be concerned if he was released because it is very likely he will arrive at your door.'
BreakingNews.ie
29-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Judge tells man to delete Facebook after he breaches safety order by posting on ex-wife's page
A judge has told a man to delete his Facebook account after he breached a domestic violence safety order by posting 'Well done Louis' when congratulating a newly elected Sinn Féin TD on his ex-wife's Facebook page. At Gort District Court, Sgt Claire Henaghan said that the post caused the woman 'great distress'. Advertisement In the case, the man posted 'Well done Louis' under a photo on Facebook of newly elected east Galway TD, Louis O'Hara (SF) celebrating being elected to the Dáil. The man - in his early 60s - pleaded guilty on December 2nd to contravening a safety order in place since September 2022 in that he made contact with his ex- wife by electronic means by commenting on her Facebook page belonging to her. Judge Alec Gabbett told the man: 'Come off Facebook. Delete it. Do you need to be on Facebook? Is it adding to your life? I doubt it very much.' Judge Gabbett said that in the future rather than congratulate the TD on Facebook, he should send a card. Advertisement Judge Gabbett described the offence as 'a very technical breach'. He said: "This was the man waving a flag and coming a little bit close to his ex-partner for my liking.' With two previous convictions for breaching the same safety order, Judge Gabbett said: 'There is an underlying current here which I don't like. This must stop today." This lady needs to be left alone. He said: 'This lady needs to be left alone. She has a five-year order which speaks volumes and judges don't hand out five year orders like confetti. I rarely make five year orders.' Sgt Henaghan said that it was the third time that the man had breached the safety order having already been convicted on two previous convictions. Advertisement Sgt Henaghan said that it was very obvious 'that it was his ex wife who shared the post'. Solicitor, Colman Sherry for the man said: 'I was surprised that something like this would end up in court.' Mr Sherry said that his client had met the case in the proper fashion by pleading guilty. He said: 'He now understands that he can't do anything like this again in the future.' From the body of the court, the man said it was 'a genuine mistake' stating that he had voted for the TD in the general election. Advertisement Judge Gabbett said: 'I understand that these things can happen.' 'Ludditery' He said: 'Ludditery comes into it sometimes - men and women of a certain age who use Facebook may not be fully au fait with what is happening. Judge Gabbett said that he would adjourn the case for one year in order that he can monitor the man's future behaviour. He told him: 'You just have to keep your nose clean and stay out of this lady's life completely." Judge Gabbett told the man he is at risk of going to prison after three breaches of the safety order. The man agreed when Judge Gabbett said he had never seen the door of a prison. Judge Gabbett adjourned the case to June 25th, 2026.
