A 50-year-old Belcoo man who breached a non-molestation order and harassed his former partner saying her ‘life would not be worth living’ has been given 100 hours of community service.
Patrick Joseph McTernan, of Holywell Park, was convicted of breaching the order and of harassment and sentenced at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
The prosecutor outlined that on June 11 police received a complaint from the injured party, the wife of the defendant, now separated. She told police that while out for her morning walk outside Belcoo she was confronted by McTernan who told her that ‘her life would not be worth living’ and that she was ‘finished’. This breached an existing non-molestation order in place after the pair’s separation.
Additionally between the dates of June 5 and June 8, 2015 the defendant left a number of voicemails on the injured party’s phone. It was further alleged by the victim that McTernan erected a ‘For Sale’ sign outside her home, despite the property not being on the market.
McTernan was arrested on June 15 and made no reply after caution. During interview the defendant said he was in contact with the injured party in relation to child care arrangements. He denied erecting making the threats and erecting the ‘For Sale’ sign.
Defence solicitor Tommy Owens explained that his client’s view of events was different to those of the injured party. Explaining the circumstances of the breach Mr Owens said there were difficulties between the pair over McTernan’s contact with their youngest son. He asked the judge to deal with the defendant as leniently as possible in the circumstances.
District judge Nigel Broderick said the breach of any court order was a serious matter and noted the injured party had suffered due to the breach and additional harassment.
The judge imposed the community service and a restraining order for the defendant not to contact the injured party for a period of 12 months.
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