Cork man imprisoned for violation of the security order at home divided with his ex-partner

A man was sentenced to 14 days in jail for violating a safety order in what the judge described as "unusual" circumstances in which he lived in another part of the same house as his ex-partner.

Kieran Hickey lives with his 92-year-old mother in an annex of Whitethorn Lodge, Schull Road, Skibbereen. According to the security order issued on March 27, he must not enter the main house where his ex-partner and his children live, nor cross the threshold of a connecting door between the two parties. the property.

The Skibbereen District Court heard from Cheryl McDowell, Hickey's former partner, that on November 13, he entered the main house around 6:30 pm and asked about the heating.

She told Judge James McNulty that Mr. Hickey looked agitated and told him that he did not care if she called the guards. She alleged that he had said, "Do not close this door. I will finish you. "

When his lawyer Ray Hennessy, Mr. Hickey's lawyer, explained to him that it was a "minor dispute", she said "he threatens to end my life" . Mr. Hickey denied any word or threat action and stated that he had been asked to enter the house.

Garda Carol Ward said that Mr. Hickey seemed surprised when Gardaí arrived that night. He was arrested at 8:40 pm for violation of the security order.

Mr. Hickey, 59, said he had had a meeting earlier in the day. He said that he had had a pint of lager beer before going home, entering the house, having been there that day, playing with his children and putting firewood in the fire. He said that he had discussed heating with his ex-partner, but that the first one he knew about a problem was the arrival of Gardaí.

From the connecting door, he said that he had no key and that it was open at times. As for the reason he was home that night, he told the court, "I was invited the day before.

McNulty J. referred to the security order and its terms, including that Mr. Hickey stays outside the main house. He stated that Mr. Hickey had entered the house "as a grave error of judgment" and "reckless".

"It is clear to me that these people live in close proximity to each other," he said, adding that in "an unusual situation", Specific conditions surrounding the safety order had been required.

McNulty J. was satisfied that Mr. Hickey had entered the house that day and frightened Ms. McDowell. He sentenced him to 14 days in prison. This would have already been notified since he was in detention since the incident.