Husband admits threatening to kill his wife with shotgun at Galway property
The accused has 31 previous convictions, was married to the victim for 14 years and they have children together
A 32-year-old man has pleaded guilty to harassment and threatening his wife to whom he sent 708 voice notes and messages over a 48-hour period.
The man pleaded guilty to breaching a safety order on dates between January 26 and January 28 at a property in Galway City, contrary to section 33 of the Domestic Violence Act.
The man pleaded guilty that on dates between January 26, 2026 and January 29, 2026, he harassed a woman contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
He also admitted two charges contrary to section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act - threatening to kill or cause serious harm to the woman on January 26 and January 28.
Sergeant Claire Heneghan told the court that on January 26, the man phoned the injured party's sister and told her he "would cut the injured party's throat and if he got her, she would be leaving in a body bag".
The defendant also issued a threat to the victim via Facebook messenger that he would shoot her with a shotgun.
Sgt Heneghan said that also via Facebook messenger, the man sent 708 voice notes and messages to the victim over a 48-hour period.
The accused has 31 previous convictions including 20 for road traffic offences and six for public order.
The woman, who the court was told is in a new relationship, provided a victim impact statement.
Defence solicitor, Sean Acton, told the court his client was married to the victim for 14 years and they have children together.
Mr Acton explained his client had been sober and engaging with services but a long-standing addiction to alcohol led to this "abusive and outrageous behaviour in January".
He said the man has written a letter of apology and is ashamed of his behaviour.
Mr Acton said his client appreciates the enormous seriousness of these incidents which are at the "higher end" of cases dealt with in the district court.
The man apologised in court and said he had "slipped off the rails" during the period of offending.
The court heard that in July, the man surrendered bail granted by the High Court as he was not abiding by a sobriety condition and the there was a possibility of a State application to revoke bail.
Judge Lydon said the offences are "very serious and very concerning" and the court is considering imposing consecutive prison sentences.
Judge Lydon agreed with Mr Acton the court should have a more complete picture before proceeding to sentence and ordered a prison Governor's report and a report from the Probation Services.
The man was remanded in custody to September 23.
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