A man who “terrified” his girlfriend by kicking her front door in a drunken stupor was jailed for two months at the District Court this week (April 1 ).
The court heard from Superintendant John Gantley how the Gardai were called to a disturbance in Monksland at 9.30pm on December 27, and found Gordon Dowling (32 ) of Railway View, Athlone “banging on the front door”.
“His girlfriend was inside distressed and very terrified,” said the superintendent.
“He was asked to leave and he didn't. He continued being aggressive and abusive. He was very intoxicated.”
Dowling had seven previous convictions for public order offences, the most recent on November 4.
“He has had difficulty with an alcohol addiction,” offered his solicitor, Mr Paul Connellan.
“I am not going to accommodate Mr Dowling,” said Judge John Neilan.
“If he wants to spend all his social welfare money on alcohol he will go to prison for two months.
“I don't want to see any woman terrified or harassed in her home. He was as drunk as a skunk and tried to kick in the door. She was so afraid she wouldn't let him in. Go up to Midland Prison and you can kick anyone you want.”
He set Dowling's personal bail at €300, with a required independent surety of €600.
