Man charged with producing knife at ex-partner’s house

A DEFENDANT charged with producing a knife outside his ex-partner’s home, was granted bail with strict conditions by Judge John Cheatle at Wexford District Court.

Gardai had objected to bail being granted in the case of Daryl Hunt of King Street, who appeared at Wexford District Court via videolink from Clover Hill Prison.

He was arrested following an incident at the home of his former partner in Davitt Road on January 2, his birthday, in which he allegedly produced a knife and kicked her car a number of times.

A Garda told the court that she received a report that the defendant called to the side door of the house where Leanne Carley, her two children and elderly grandmother were inside.

She didn’t answer the door but observed him through the window holding a knife which she described as a steak knife. He kicked her car a number of times and left the scene.

The Garda said that following his arrest, the defendant admitted attempting to damage her car.

The Garda said she would be concerned that if he was granted bail, there would be further incidents because they lived in close proximity and shared a child together and there was a history of bench warrants.

Ed King, solicitor for the accused, said he had been instructed that there were difficulties getting access to his daughter and the gardai replied that she was aware that he had been isolating and awaiting the result of a Covid test.

Mr. King asked if it was the case that the defendant admitted criminal damage in relation to the car but denied anything in relation to the steak knife and the Garda replied that it was.

She also agreed that she was not aware of there being any previous complaints by Ms. Carley in relation to the accused.

Mr. King said Ms. Carley and the accused did not live that close to each other and it was a lengthy walk from one address to the other.

Ms. Carley told the court that she had informed the accused that he couldn’t see their daughter as he was still a close contact.

She said he started getting angry with her and told her that if he saw her with anyone else in the next few weeks that he would punch their head off. She then blocked his number on her phone.

Within 15 minutes a knock came to the door. She locked the door and rang the gardai. She could see the accused through the window as he pulled a knife out of his sleeve. He told her that he was going to break up her car.

She said it was the first time she was ever afraid of him and she could see the madness in his eyes.

Ms. Carley said she would not be happy if he was given bail that day. He texts her family members, he texts her off his friends phones and she can’t get away from him.

The defendant told the court via videolink that if he was granted bail, he would stay away from Ms. Carley and would not bother her again.

Sergeant Gary Raynor put it to the defendant that he had made threats on the phone and had admitted kicking the injured party’s car and he was also currently on bail in relation to an unrelated charge.

The Sergeant said there was evidence the defendant had a problem with drugs and rink and could not be trusted to receive bail.

Judge Cheatle said that by Ms. Carley’s own admission this was the first time she felt in fear of him and rightly so, given what is alleged to have happened.

He remanded the defendant in custody with consent to bail on strict conditions and said the gardai were to be notified immediately if there was a breach.

The conditions include that he is to have no contact of any kind with Ms. Carley or any member of her family, apart from contact through a solicitor regarding access to their daughter; he must stay away from the Davitt Road area; be of sober habits; sign on at Wexford Garda Station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and abide by a curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.