Galway man threatened to cut partner's head off and ruin career with photo
The court was told the man comes from an ‘excellent family background’ and holds a responsible position of employment that is still open to him despite being in custody
A 35-year-old Galway man threatened to cut his partner's head off and ruin her law career by posting on social media a photo of an illicit substance accompanied by her student ID card, court has heard.
At Galway District Court, the man pleaded guilty to breaching a Protection Order obtained by the woman on May 28, 2026.
He pleaded guilty to criminal damage of the woman's laptop at her apartment in Galway City on July 26.
He further admitted breaching a protection order at the woman's place of work on August 7, contrary to Section 33 of the Domestic Violence Act, and two charges of stealing bottles of whiskey from Fine Wines, Seamus Quirke Road on August 7 and August 8.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of €140 of cocaine found at his home address during a search carried out by members of the Galway garda divisional drugs unit.
Sergeant Damien Prendergast told the court the victim was on holiday on July 25 when she received a WhatsApp message from the accused, threatening to end her life.
The court heard the man also damaged the woman's laptop and sent her another message, showing a knife being used to cut open a Teddy Bear and stating he would cut her head off.
Sgt Prendergast said the accused sent another message showing an illegal substance and the victim's student ID card and stating he would spread the image on social media in an attempt to ruin her career in law.
The court heard the woman was in 'serious fear' of the man and was afraid to return to her apartment.
Sgt Prendergast told the court that on August 7, the accused turned up at the woman's place of work after "losing his weekly wage on gambling".
The court was told he verbally abused the woman and put her in fear.
The victim was present in court and supplied a victim impact statement.
She told Judge Fiona Lydon that the incidents were obviously 'distressing and upsetting' but she cares very deeply for the accused and said the right place for him to be is in rehab.
She said she thinks he has learned his lesson and hopes the court can give him a chance to turn his life around.
Defence barrister, Donal Cronin BL, (instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan), told the court his client has no previous convictions and had not come to prior adverse notice.
Counsel said he has been instructed to apologise to the victim and the court and his client regrets and is deeply embarrassed by his actions.
The court was told the man comes from an "excellent family background" and holds a responsible position of employment that is still open to him despite being in custody.
Mr Cronin said complex issues of alcohol and drug addiction and gambling emerged in the last 18 months and his client has been under the care of his GP for some time.
Counsel said the doctor has requested the man be referred to a residential treatment faculty to "address the issues of addiction that clearly form the cornerstone of his difficulties".
Judge Fiona Lydon described the accused's behaviour as "very concerning and very serious breaches of protection orders".
She said in light of the complex issues raised by the defence, the court required a pre-sanction report from the Probation Services and a comprehensive report from the man's GP, before the case could be finalised.
The man was remanded in custody to appear by video-link on September 14.
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