Man threatened to kill his ex-partner

Stephen Joseph Menary (42), Victoria Street, Lurgan, had pleaded guilty to two offences when he appeared at an earlier court.

These were sending by means of public electronic communications a message of a menacing character on December 5 last year and improper use to cause annoyance or anxiety.

Sentencing was adjourned until last Wednesday so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

The court heard that the injured party, the defendant’s ex-partner, reported to police that Menary had contacted her new partner asking to speak to their son.

Menary said he had been trying to get in touch with his son but he was not answering his phone.

He then spoke to his ex-partner and became abusive saying that he was going to kill her and her family.

She hung up but he phoned back on six occasions.

When interviewed by police Menary said that he had been drinking that day and couldn’t remember most of what he had said but added that he would not have carried out any threat.

A solicitor representing the defendant said there was now a non molestation order in place.

He added that this was a classic case where the father had not approached things in the right way but he was now going through the proper channels.

The solicitor said it was a very positive report from probation.

Contact had been re-instated with his children and Menary was now in a much better place than he was last year.

Deputy District Judge John Connolly said the report indicated the defendant was suitable for community service and imposed a sentence of 40 hours unpaid work.