A man became emotional in court as he admitted to exercising coercive control over his partner for a period of three and a half years.
The defendant, aged in his 40s and who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, reports RTE.
A jury was due to be selected for the trial, however defence Senior Counsel Dara Foynes told the court that a jury would no longer be needed.
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When the charge was read to him, the man entered a plea of “guilty”, reports RTE.
The offence related to section 39 of the Domestic Violence Act, concerning controlling and coercive conduct between 1 January 2019 and 18 July 2022, behaviour which had a serious impact on the woman.
After an application from the defence, the judge ruled that strict reporting restrictions were in place and that nothing could be published which might identify the individuals involved, who have children of vulnerable ages, reports RTE.
He emphasised that this also covered the accused’s occupation or any details that could prompt speculation within the local community.
Judge Johnson adjourned the case for sentencing until May, when the prosecution evidence will be presented, and confirmed there were no objections to bail, reports RTE.
He also ordered that a victim impact statement be prepared, reports RTE.
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