A man who once held a senior position with the Brothers of Charity told Galway District Court how he had been “utterly terrified” when a disturbed client, who claimed to have suffered institutional abuse, arrived at his home and threatened to break his legs and shoot him.
The frightening level of harassment and stalking of Brothers of Charity staff commited by Billy Hill was revealed at Monday’s court sitting where Judge Mary Fahy heard that the 52-year-old had also arrived at the door of a woman, just 11 days earlier, and threatened to burn down her house and get her children.
Hill, with an address at 17 Rockbarton Park, Salthill, was brought in custody before Judge Fahy where he pleaded guilty to harassment and stalking at the home of a woman on December 2, 2009, and to tresspassing and threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a man at his home on December 13, 2009.
The first injured party told the court that the doorbell rang at 9.50pm and when she opened the door Hill was there “shouting and screaming” at her. While her husband rang the gardai, the woman tried to close the door but was prevented from doing so by Hill, who placed his foot in the way. She said that Hill continued to shout and threatened to “burn down the house, get my children. That I was a blow-in, that he knows all about me and my family because of my work with the Brothers of Charity”.
The injured party further said: “He said he had been abused in the past. He cannot disassociate me as just an employee. He continued to threaten me until the guards were at the door”.
During questioning by defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn, the woman said that she had worked with a team that was trying to support Hill, who had been evicted from a number of apartments, and find him accommodation.
“This is not the first time I have seen this [behaviour] but at 9.50 at night at my home, this was unexpected,” she said.
Referring to psychologist reports, Judge Fahy said that Hill “knows the boundaries but decides to ignore them”. Noting that Hill has been before the court before for more minor matters, Judge Fahy said, “My concerns at the time have been justified because he found out where you live. Your address is not ever a place he should approach”.
Judge Fahy went on to say that “by supporting him the Brothers of Charity prevented him from moving on... He was protected too much and felt and still feels that he can do what he likes and doesn’t have to pay for it”.
The second injured party, a man who had held a senior post with the Brothers of Charity, gave evidence that on December 13 his doorbell rang and he found the defendant standing outside. He said that Hill’s threats were so loud that it attracted the attention of a concerned neighbour who came to assist. The injured party said that he tried to talk some sense in to the defendant but that the threats continued.
“He continued to threaten to break my legs, that he had access to a gun and would use it, and that he had very good friends that would get me. I believed the threats and I was utterly terrified,” he said.
Outlining his client’s background, Mr MacLynn said that Hill had been taken into care with the Brothers of Charity from 1960 to 1976 and that they have helped him obtain various jobs, hostel accommodation, and other supports since. However, he said that Hill’s early institutionalisation, combined with abuse and alcohol difficulties, has meant that he “lacks a purpose” and has no insight into the consequences of his actions.
“He has apologised often before,” replied Judge Fahy, who added that a lot of the defendant’s prior offending had not been reported to the authorites by the Brothers of Charity.
“This cover up led him to reoffend and his offences have become more serious... I have a lot of sympathy for him, the fact that he was institutionalised at a very young age, but he turned against the very persons that were trying to help him. His risk of re-offending would be on the high side if he continues with his drinking,” said Judge Fahy, whose attention was then suddenly drawn to Hill’s intimidating behaviour in court, in particular threatening looks to journalists seated behind him.
“Why are you looking at the reporters behind you? I’m concerned that he pinpoints anyone doing their job,” said Judge Fahy sternly before imposing a total of 18 months in jail with a further four months suspended for 12 months following his release, on condition that he be of good behaviour. The sentence was backdated to December 22, 2009. Leave to appeal was granted.
