A MAN faces several stalking charges that include breaching an order by hiding in a hedge.
The Donegal defendant had his case adjourned as he had no solicitor when he appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday.
He faces four stalking charges – and five charges in total – relating to dates in early 2023.
The 63-year-old is charged that on two dates in 2023, he breached a protection order by hiding in a hedge at the side of the female applicant’s home, watching her house and putting her in fear.
Such offences are contrary to Section 33 (1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018.
He is also charged that on one of those dates he breached a protection order by being in a field at the side of the applicant’s home, putting her in fear.
The accused faces a similar charge of being in a field at the rear of her home, watching her whilst appearing to be filling her septic tank with clay, it is alleged.
These offences are also contrary to Section 33 (1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018.
He faces another charge from 2023 of threatening to cause harm to gardai during a dispute by producing a pitch fork that was capable of inflicting serious injury.
This offence would be contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
During yesterday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court, the man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared unrepresented.
Judge Emile Day reminded him that his case was listed for hearing and asked him if he would like to proceed without a solicitor.
The defendant asked if he could get an adjournment of one month so he could find a solicitor.
Judge Daly granted an adjournment until January but said “it will proceed on that day” with or without a solicitor.
She added: “You have enough time to get a solicitor.”
He has been remanded on continuing bail under strict conditions.