A man bombarded his partner with an incredible 5,757 telephone calls in less than a three month period during their “toxic” relationship.
Kevin Dunleavy became so obsessed with his girlfriend, Caoimhe Crossan, that he forced her to take her phone everywhere with her so he knew where she was.
Dunleavy even called on her on Facetime and made her scan the place she was so he knew exactly where she was.
The 33 year-old appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he faced a number of charges including coercive control, harassment and making threats to damage property.
Detective Garda Darren Carter told the court that family and friends of Ms Crossan, a mother of three, were genuinely fearful for her safety from Mr Dunleavy.
Detective Carter gave a detailed account of a number of incidents in which the accused threatened and attacked Ms Crossan.
On one occasion he came into the Travellers Inn in Milford and pulled her out by the collar of her jumper and gave her a severe beating including several punches to the head.
He also burnt her clothes and broke her hair straighteners to prevent her from going out.
The couple had known each other since they were both 14 years old and had been going out since 2012.
In her victim impact statement to court, Ms Crossan said the first four years of the relationship were good and that Dunleavy was a good partner and father.
However, he became possessive and he also began to cheat on her.
During the spate of harassment, Ms Crossan went to stay in a hotel so Dunleavy could not find out where she was.
He telephoned her and threatened her and the recordings of his threats were played in court.
In the chilling calls, Dunleavy is heard screaming to Ms Crossan “Ill kill you, I’ll you stone dead. I’ll cut your throat out. I’ll get you. Mark my words, I’ll get you tomorrow night.”
On June 9th last, Gardai arrested Dunleavy.
However, when being questioned the accuse closed his eyes and refused to answer any questions.
Sgt Carter added that he believed that there was a genuine threat that Dunleavy would cause serious harm to Ms CRossan.
He said the accused had a total of 121 previous convictions for various offences including drugs, burglary and also breaching barring orders as well as a raft of traffic offences.
However, barrister for Dunleavy, Mr Peter Nolan asked Sgt Carter if he was aware that Ms Crossan had visited the accused in prison on several occasions and even given him €100.
He also said that he had a “love letter” from Ms Crossan to Mr Dunleavy given to him in prison in which she signed off “I love you, lots of love, your sweetness, Caoimhe.”
Sgt Carter said he was not aware of this but suggested this could be a sign of the coercive control which Ms Crossan was experiencing.
Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case until next Tuesday for sentence.