Restraining order imposed on Toome man

Thomas Patrick Maguire, 60, of Hillhead Cottages, Toome was charged with two counts of breaching his non-molestation order.

A Court heard how police were called to an address in Greenvale Drive, Cookstown on February 4th, this year following report that the defendant was refusing to leave the home of his ex-wife. It was revealed that the injured party’s daughter phoned police after Mr Maguire’s ex-wife had ran away from the home and refused to return until he had left.

Police said when she did return to the property she appeared shaken. She told how she had received texts from the defendant saying he was ‘sorry’ and that he ‘still loved her’.

Police called at the home of the defendant but he was not available and they left a calling card. They tried to reach Mr Maguire on his mobile and when they got hold of him he told them he had been at Greenvale Drive to see his children.

Mr Maguire was arrested at Magherafelt Courthouse for being in breach of his non-molestation order and he said he hadn’t been in contact with his ex wife.

On 10th March, police were informed by Mr Maguire’s ex wife that she had received a call from an unknown number and recognised the voice on the phone as that of her ex-husband who was saying he wanted to meet up. She hung up the phone and received 35 missed calls that day from the same number and didn’t answer any of them.

A court was told that Mr Maguire is currently serving a 4 month sentence. A defence solicitor for Mr Maguire told the court it was more of a ‘nuisance nature’ and that no threats were made from his client who had been finding it difficult to accept that the marriage was over.

District Judge John Meehan sentenced him to a total of 6 months in prison to run consecutive to current term and imposed a restraining order against him for a period of two years.