Six months if breaches protection order again

A MAN has been ordered not to come near Bruach na hAbhainn Estate in Tralee and to reside at a Castleisland address after Judge David Waters granted him bail at a district court sitting in Tralee, last week.

Edward O’Brien (26) of 2A St Stephen’s Park, Castleisland, was before the court for breaching a protection order issued against him.

Judge Waters said he did not think that Mr O’Brien should get bail as he had not abided by the original protection order, nor had he abided by the bail order.

Mr O’Brien’s solicitor, Brendan Ahern, said that Mr O’Brien was in an “on and off relationship” and that he had been invited back into the family home.

The victim was not in court because she had child-care issues and was unable to attend.

Judge Waters said he would have liked to hear from her but that he was not criticising her non-attendance as she had childcare issues.

He said Mr O’Brien had been allowed into the house but had misbehaved again and that the victim had to “flee the house” because of his behaviour.

Mr Ahern asked the judge to grant the defendant bail for a short period instead of remanding him in custody. He said he would reside at the Castleisland address.

In granting him bail, Judge Waters warned that if Mr O’Brien breaches the order again he will convict him. He said Mr O’Brien has a court order and three separate bail orders and that he would be looking at six months if he breaches any order again.