Man threw candle at his mother, Waterford District Court told
Waterford Courthouse.
A man threw a candle at his mother and told her, “Now you have a reason to call the guards,” Waterford District Court has been told.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was before Judge Kevin Staunton, charged with breaches of a safety order.
Inspector Niall Daly told the court that on a date in January, the injured party reported that she wanted her son to leave her house and he smashed a plate.
As she was leaving, he threw a candle at her and said, “now you have a reason to call the guards,” she told gardaí.
The court was told that the man had four previous convictions, including one for assault.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham said that his client resides in the home but has been in custody since the middle of January.
The solicitor said his client has issues with alcohol, but has taken steps to address that, and the injured party would also like him to get help.
He invited the court to issue a “bond-type” order on the condition that he attend counselling and follow any other recommendations by the probation service.
The injured party confirmed for the court that it was also her wish. She said that her son had serious issues with drinking and drugs, and she didn’t think he would get help in prison.
Judge Staunton said that the man’s behaviour toward his mother was “disgusting” and he hoped he was ashamed.
He said that what the injured party said was very helpful, but he was concerned that the man had a previous conviction for a violent offence.
The judge sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months on the basis that he attends counselling and rehabilitation as directed by the probation service.
