A man who assaulted his heavily pregnant ex-partner has been ordered to stay out of County Donegal.
Jake O’Dwyer was brought before Letterkenny District Court, charged with an offence alleged to have occurred on Bank Holiday Monday.
Twenty-nine-year-old O’Dwyer is charged that at Aughaclay, Culdaff, on June 3, 2024, he assaulted the woman, causing her harm.
The charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
Garda Jacob gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of O’Dwyer.
The accused was arrested at 12 noon on June 3 and charged at 8.51pm. He made no reply after caution.
Sergeant Jim Collins said An Garda Síochána were objecting to bail. He said there was a concern that if O’Dwyer was released that he would commit further offences of a similar nature or would interfere with witnesses.
Sergeant Collins said that there were no conditions that could allay those fears and that the alleged victim, who is heavily pregnant, was vulnerable.
O’Dwyer was put in the witness box by his own solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy. Asked if he had any intention of returning to the woman’s house, he said, “none whatsoever”.
He said he understood that he was not to be near the house and that he would be arrested if he did.
Mr Murphy said there was “no difficulty” for his client to undertake not to come to County Donegal and said conditions could be entered.
Judge Cunningham granted bail to O’Dwyer and attached strict conditions.
O’Dwyer was ordered to enter into a bond of €500, with €300 lodged in cash. He was told not to commit any offence and be of good behaviour, to reside at an address provided in Co Kilkenny and to sign on at a garda station three days each week.
Judge Cunningham said it was “absolutely imperative” that he not contact in any way whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, to include social media or otherwise, with the alleged injured party.
O’Dwyer was told to stay out of County Donegal, save for court appearances.
The court heard that O’Dwyer had greyhounds at the woman’s property and arrangements are to be made, in liaison with the gardai, to have them returned.
Until the bail money was provided, O’Dwyer was remanded in custody with consent to bail.
The matter was adjourned until June 10 with O’Dwyer excused from attending on that occasion.
Legal aid was granted to Mr Murphy.