Cork court: Woman terrified by ex-partner verbally abusing her and saying he would love to break her back

A young woman was terrified when her ex-partner verbally abused her as a ‘skinny anorexic’ and said that he would love to break her back.

The defendant’s mother was asked to leave the court as she shook her head at this outline of the evidence. 

Judge Dorgan said: “I am not putting up with that nonsense.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan told the woman that this behaviour was unacceptable and reminded her that her son had pleaded guilty to this crime and that her behaviour would not be tolerated. The judge told her to leave the in camera sitting of Cork District Court.

The 39-year-old man appeared in Cork by video link from prison and pleaded guilty to breaching the protection order by putting the woman, who is in her 20s, in fear on the occasion.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the background to the incident that gave rise to the case.

“On December 6 2024 the applicant reported to gardaí that her ex-partner breached a protection order by phoning her and verbally threatening her on the phone.

“She alleged that after 4pm on December 3 2024 she received a phone call from an anonymous number. She took the call and it was her ex, screaming on the phone and calling her a ‘skinny anorexic’.

“She said he also said to her that she ‘has a delicate back that he’d love to break.’ She said she was in fear after this call.” 

The young woman added: “I was afraid he would because he assaulted me many times in the past.” 

Frank Buttimer solicitor stressed that it was a verbal matter and that that there was no follow-up of any kind: “He did not intend it to be taken literally." 

Judge Dorgan sentenced him to three months prison for the offence under the Domestic Violence Act.