Man accused of breaching safety order by allegedly hiding in wife’s attic

A man appeared in court accused of breaching a safety order by hiding in the attic of his wife’s home in Laois on Christmas Eve. 

The defendant, who is 27 and cannot be named for legal reasons, is alleged to have hidden in the attic of his wife’s home on Christmas Eve. 

He is further accused of breaching a safety order again on Christmas Day and of assaulting the woman causing harm on December 18, 2023. 

The court was told the man was no longer living at the address with his wife.

A Garda objected to the defendant being granted bail at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

He said it would be alleged the defendant had verbally abused the woman and “smashed a mug into her head” leaving her requiring seven staples. 

On Christmas Eve, the woman told Gardaí she went upstairs and discovered roofing insulation on the floor and she could hear the defendant in the attic. On Christmas Day the man allegedly kicked her door and entered the woman’s house. 

The Garda showed Judge Nicola Andrews images of the injuries allegedly sustained during the assault on December 18, 2023. 

He asked that the man be refused bail and said “I believe that he will still continue to call to the address.” 

He said the man doesn’t live at the address but he had been arrested there a day before the court sitting.

“There is now a live barring order in place,” he said. 

Molly Boggan BL said her client “is a young man who has battled with alcohol and substance abuse.” She said he was willing to surrender his passport and have no contact with the woman if granted bail. 

“I don’t believe any conditions will stop him from coming to that address,” the Garda said.  

Ms Boggan said her client instructed her that he was attending marriage counselling with the woman.

“I am told that he is on good terms with the alleged victim,” she said. 

The garda said there had been three alleged breaches of the order within the space of a week. 

Judge Nicola Andrews said that while the defendant enjoyed the presumption of innocence the allegations were extremely serious. She refused bail and remanded the man in custody to Portlaoise District Court on March 25.