Brother accosted sister over the family estate

DISTRICT COURT ROUND-UP

A 52-year-old man has apologised to his sister after accosting her over the estate of their deceased father, and issues over their aunt’s estate, a District Court has heard.

Joseph McGowan of Lugatober, Glencar was previously before Sligo District Court where it was heard on May 24 th, 2016 he trespassed on the home of his sister, Jacinta Monaghan, at Rathcormack with intent to assault her.

The court previously heard on the day in question Ms Monaghan heard her brother enter her house and he accosted her and picked up a chair while shouting at her.

Ms Monaghan’s daughter had to take the chair off her uncle and she then rang gardaí.

The court heard there was a dispute between the brother and sister over the estate of their late father.

At last week’s court Jacinta Monaghan said she was in the kitchen on the night in question when her brother came in.

She described the incident as ‘very traumatic’ for herself and her daughters and said her brother came towards her with a chair and made threats to her.

Asked by Judge Kevin Kilrane if things had improved since, Ms Monaghan said there had been no incidents since.

Ms Monaghan explained to the court that she was executor of her late aunt’s will and as instructed advertised lands to be sold. She said it was on the night the advertisement appeared in a local publication her brother came to the house.

Asked if issues had resolved with her brother, Ms Monaghan said she felt she could move forward.

Representing McGowan, Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor, outlined his client had furnished Ms Monaghan with a letter of apology. Mr MacSharry said his client was under stress at the time, to which Ms Monaghan said she too was under stress at the time.

“He is disgusted with what happened and the toll it has taken on Ms Monaghan and he hopes it will never happen again,” said Mr MacSharry.

Taking the stand, McGowan said he wished to publicly apologise to his sister and her family and said he deeply regretted what had happened and said he accepted the decisions surrounding the estates.

“Rightly or wrongly he felt disinherited and entered his sister’s house and threatened his sister with a chair and she was put into fear and dread,” said the judge.

Judge Kilrane said he was satisfied matters had been resolved and that McGowan had apologised.

“It was a burning sense of unfairness that lit him,” the judge added.

The court was informed McGowan had 28 previous convictions, the majority for road traffic offences.

McGowan was given the benefit of the Probation Act.