Laois court hears man ‘never had any intentions’ to cut his partner’s head off
Portlaoise District Court
A MAN who threatened to burn down his partner’s house and cut her head off was before the Family Law Court in Portlaoise last week.
The 22-year-old, who cannot be identified, was charged with threatening to cause criminal damage and with two counts of threats to kill or to cause serious injury at a house in Laois on 18 June.
He pleaded guilty to the offences.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that on the day gardaí were called to a domestic dispute. When they arrived at the scene the defendant had fled.
He said the injured party said the man threatened to cut her head off and burn down her house. He said when arrested the defendant made full admissions and told gardaí that, “he had never any intentions of carrying out the threats.” Sgt Kirby said that in the victim impact report submitted by the injury party she stated: “He didn’t physically assault or hurt me. But he did make the threats.” Defence barrister Andrew Dunne said the relationship between the couple had been very volatile, with “mutual threats been made to each other. There were a lot of fights between them as well.” He said his client accepts that they were horrific threats made to the victim and “is incredibly remorseful. The threats were never made to be followed through.” Judge Susan Fay ordered probation and community service reports and that the man take part in a Restorative Justice Programme as well as canvassing a fuller victim impact statement from the victim.
She went on to adjourn the case to 20 April sitting of the court.
