by Andrew Carey
andrew
A JUDGE has refused a mother’s application to have her son sent to Limerick prison because she has been in constant fear of him for the last five years.
Christopher Clancy (22) with addresses at Lord Edward Court and Hyde Road appeared before Limerick District Court charged with trespassing at his mother’s house in Castletroy where it is alleged that he threw a coffee table during an argument with her.
A charge relating to an alleged breach of a barring order on November 11 was also put to Mr Clancy who made no response to the allegation.
Gardai initially stated that there was no objection to bail but the mother of the accused man addressed the court and asked Judge Eugene O’Kelly to remand him in custody.
Speaking from the public gallery, Ms Fiona Clancy told the judge that she wished to object to bail being granted to her son as she lives “in constant fear” of him.
Taking to the witness box, Ms Clancy said she was “living in fear of that young fella” and further claimed that he had been “following me and threatening me for the last ten months”.
Ms Clancy said that she and her three children had been experiencing difficulties over the last five years with the accused.
Judge O’Kelly told Ms Clancy that he was “listening to what you are saying” but added that the Gardai were seeking strict conditions of bail.
He added that bail would be revoked if the accused man breached even one condition.
Bail was granted after the court approved an independent surety of €1,000 and Christopher Clancy was ordered not to have any contact with Fiona Clancy or her three other children at their Castletroy address.
The case was adjourned to next month to await the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
