Cork man accused of putting woman in fear with 'last chance to pay or house' threat
The judge said he would need to hear more details on the background to the matters before he could decide jurisdiction and the case was adjourned until April 24. File picture: Larry Cummins
A woman was put in fear that her home would be burned down by a man who allegedly smashed windows at her house and then sent a threatening text stating: “Last chance to pay or house”, followed by two fire symbols.
The allegations in the case were outlined at Cork District Court so that Judge Philip O’Leary could decide if he was willing to accept jurisdiction to deal with the case. However, the judge said he would need to hear more details on the background to the matters before he could decide and the case was adjourned until April 24 for this purpose.
Jerry Hogan, who now resides at Gort Na Glaise, Kilmoney, Carrigaline, County Cork, is charged with causing damage to the house by allegedly smashing windows and following this 10 days later with a threat to burn down the house if money was not paid. The charges related to September 2024 at the house at Comeragh Park, The Glen, Cork.
Garda Shane Heffernan said that on arrival at the scene on September 1, gardaí received a report of alleged criminal damage at the house at Comeragh Park, The Glen, Cork.
“The front kitchen window was smashed and four glass panels surrounding the front door and a glass panel at the top of the front door were broken,” Garda Heffernan said. It was alleged that one member of the family observed Jerry Hogan running from the driveway of the property.
It was further alleged that on September 11 the woman living at that house said she received a number of calls from Jerry Hogan via Facebook Messenger.
“She did not answer any of these calls. Jerry Hogan then messaged her, stating, 'Last chance to pay or house', followed by two fire symbols. She was put in fear that her home would be burnt out, Garda Heffernan said.
It was alleged that the cost of the September 1 damage amounted to €650 to repair.
Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the defendant moved to the Carrigaline address and agreed to a bail condition to stay out of Cork City and other conditions previously imposed by Judge O’Leary.
These include keeping an 11pm to 7am curfew, having no contact directly or indirectly with any of the family in the Comeragh Park house or any witness in the case.
On the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy, Judge O’Leary adjourned the case until April 24 for further information on the connection between the parties so that the issue of jurisdiction could be decided.
