A garda has told a court that he is to recommend that a 26 year old Ennis man be charged with kidnapping a young child.
At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, Garda Sebastian Pychynski said that the man may be facing further charges and directions are to be sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Garda Pychynski said that one of the charges is kidnapping of a child and said that he would be recommending that the accused be charged with that offence.
In response, the man said from the body of the court: “How can I be kidnapping a child? My own child?”
He said: “Her mother was taking drugs. What did you want me to do? Let her remain there?”
The accused added: “I can’t let him up there and say that – I took my daughter out of where her mother was taking tablets and drugs. I won’t have him up there saying shit about kidnapping a child – my own child.”
Judge Alec Gabbett told the man “even if it does come it is only a charge and you are entitled to fight that. I understand you have a position on it. Be careful about what you say now.”
Garda Pychynski told the court that Gardai were objecting to bail where the man is facing four charges – assault causing harm against his ex-partner, breach of a Safety Order she obtained against him and counts of theft and burglary.
Garda Pychynski said that the most serious charge is assault and breach of the Safety Order.
He said: “It was a serious assault committed in front of young children.”
Garda Pychynski said that Gardai have photographs of the woman after the alleged assault.
He said that the accused is likely to face a lengthy sentence if convicted. Garda Pychynski said that the accused made no admissions during Garda interview. Garda Pychynski said that no conditions would satisfy him to allow the accused obtain bail.
Under cross examination from solicitor Tara Godfrey for the accused, Garda Pychynski agreed that her client claimed in interview that he was stabbed by his ex-partner and had defensive wounds to his right palm and face.
Ms Godfrey said that her client’s ex-partner is not reliable, is “an unpredictable drug user” and “is someone who has had her own difficulties”
Ms Godfrey said that her client’s ex-partner “is a woman who consorts with criminals”.
However, Judge Gabbett rejected the man’s application for bail and remanded him in custody.
