A man who is studying to become an alcohol counsellor has been banned from Letterkenny after threatening his partner.
Paul Martin called to the home of the woman and kicked on her door and threatened her.
The couple had been dating for a year and a half.
However, the woman appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday and said she was living in fear of Martin, from Ballintra.
Martin was arrested following the incident at the woman’s home on Tuesday night and taken to Letterkenny Garda station.
Inspector Barry Doyle told the court that he was objecting to bail as the woman was genuinely in fear of Martin.
Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher, suggested to the court that bail could be granted if Martin was given a direction to stay out of Letterkenny.
Mr Gallagher said Martin was attending a course on counselling in North West Colege outreach programme in Strabane.
The victim gave evidence that she was in fear of Martin and that their relationship was over once and for all.
“We are separated – that was yesterday and it’s final. I’m afraid of his alcohol intake and he is violent. He comes to my house, kicking the door, shouting abuse.
“I stood up in this court last week and I defended him. I’m not defending him no more. I asked him not to come near the house and he did come back. I have a fear of him if he is granted bail,” said the woman.
Martin admitted that he had “fallen off the wagon” and now accepted that his relationship with the woman was over.
Judge Paul Kelly said he was willing to grant bail but under strict conditions.
He ordered Martin to stay out of Letterkenny, to give a mobile phone number on which he could be contacted and to sign on each day at Ballyshannon Garda station.
He also ordered Martin to have no contact with the woman.
The case was adjourned until June 26th.
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