Father arrested for drunkenly ransacking his ex-partner’s home on St Patrick’s Day

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A FATHER arrested for drunkenly ransacking his former partner’s home in Dublin on St Patrick’s Day, months after he was accused of attacking her, has been refused bail.

The man in his 40s appeared before a weekend sitting of Dublin District Court charged with breaching a protection order, criminal damage assault causing harm to his ex-partner and burglary in connection with an incident last year and his latest arrest on Friday.

He cannot be identified because of the Domestic Violence Act’s reporting restrictions.

The court heard he and the woman have children, but they did not live together.

The court heard he punched his former partner in the face leaving her swelling and bruised, during the first alleged incident in late 2023.

Judge Gerard Jones heard that he had arrived at her home and “started asking, ‘who is here?’, looking around the house”. He had never lived at her home, the court was told.

On Friday, he allegedly returned and “ransacked the house”.

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The court heard gardai had to use pepper-spray to arrest him.

Following his arrest, the court heard that he spat and urinated in a Garda station cell, made threats to officers, and may face further charges.

Cross-examined by defence solicitor Kelly Breen, a garda witness agreed the man was “actively involved” ins his children’s lives and his family relied on his income.

The defence said the accused was going through family law proceedings to regularise access.

He has yet to enter pleas to the charges before the criminal courts.

The garda also accepted that the man was intoxicated during the latest incident.

The defence suggested bail could be granted with a cash lodgement and conditions to remain alcohol and intoxicant-free to allay any fears.

Judge Jones stressed the man still had the presumption of innocence, but following the hearing of evidence and submissions, he refused bail. He remanded the man, who did not address the court, in custody to appear again later this month. Legal aid was granted.