Ferns man was in breach of barring order

ROBERT MCLOUGHLIN (39) breached a barring order when he went to the house in Ferns – 44 Berryfields – of which he is part owner.

Sitting at Gorey District Court, Judge Gerard Haughton considered two charges alleging breaches of the order.

The court dealt first with events on June 6 when the defendant was at Berryfields with his mother Carmel Toner.

Her evidence was that he threatened to wreck the house and burn it down that afternoon when she did not give him a cigarette.

She also alleged that he had his fist to her face and that he damaged the floor when he kicked a fire guard.

All such misbehaviour was denied in court by the defendant.

The judge learned that the barring order was taken out by Carmel Toner against her son on February 1.

However, he continued to stay in the house after that date and he stated in the witness box he did not realise the effect of the order.

Barrister Ríannagh Morris pointed out that her client had not received a copy of the barring order at the time and Judge Haughton accepted this, dismissing the charge.

However, McLoughlin, who has been staying in hostels in Dublin since his relationship with his mother broke down, admitted he was guilty on a later occasion in August.

The court heard that the defendant approached the house on the date in question and forced a gate.

A four-month prison sentence was suspended by Judge Haughton once the father-of-four signed a bond agreeing to stay away from his mother wherever she may reside, whether in Ferns or elsewhere.

The court learned that ownership of 44 Berryfields is split between Robert Mcloughlin and his brother Jamie who was also present for the hearing.