This article is from page 17 of the 2013-10-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
AN Ennis woman has been told she will be sent to jail if she makes any more enquiries about her ex-boyfriend.
Judge Patrick Durcan issued the warning to Siobhan Downes (34) at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
Ms Downes, with an address at Childer’s Road, Ennis, is alleged to have breached the terms of her bail conditions.
The former air-hostess was granted bail earlier this month at Ennis District Court after being charged with breaching a protection order on October 3 by allegedly going to her former boyfriend’s home.
Last month, Ms Downes avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to six separate breaches of a protection order originally imposed by the court in February.
At the time, the court heard Ms Downes’ former partner secured the order after the breakdown of the couple’s relationship.
The court heard Ms Downes had been unable to get over her infatuation with her former boyfriend resulting in the successive breaches.
On Wednesday, Garda Margaret Leahy of Ennistymon Garda Station told the court it is alleged Ms Downes approached a woman at work on October 21.
It is alleged Ms Downes asked the woman if her daughter is still going out with the accused’s ex-boyfriend.
Garda Leahy told the court:
“She’s making enquiries about the injured party and who he is going out with and that would be a concern.”
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court this represented a breach of the order.
“I find it nothing short of astonishing that we are here today discussing another alleged breach,” Inspector Kennedy said.
Defence solicitor Turlough Herbert said the enquiries did not represent a breach of his client’s bail terms.
Mr Herbert said Ms Downes has numerous appointments and it is critical she attends them.
Judge Durcan told Mr Herbert, “If your client wants her freedom today, I want a sworn undertaking.”
Ms Downes gave a sworn undertaking she would not make contact with the injured party and not make enquiries of him.
“If there is any breach of the word or spirit of the bail conditions, I will revoke that bail,” added Judge Durcan.
Judge Durcan also apologized to Ms Downes for a remark he made previously where he told her the courts are not a “crèche for middleaged people.”
He told the 34-year-old she does not fall into that age category.
Ms Downes was remanded on bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on December 4