A woman received a text from her ex-husband saying “you will regret everything” after she arrived home from a Christmas night out, writes Liam Heylin.

Kevin Murphy (aged 40) of Ardcarraig, Carrigaline, Co Cork, yesterday pleaded guilty to breaching a barring order by sending Deirdre Scannell a text message in the early hours of December 21 last.

Insp Fergal Foley said at Cork District Court that Ms Scannell and her sister went out socially on that night and she arrived home after 3am to receive a number of texts from her ex-husband.

The texts suggested Mr Murphy appeared to have known where Ms Scannell had been earlier in the night.

Insp Foley said some of the texts referred to ongoing domestic matters between the two parties. One of the texts, the subject of the charge, contained the words: ‘You will regret everything’.

Mr Murphy pleaded guilty to breaching a barring order by sending that particular text.

He had assault convictions but his solicitor Eddie Burke stressed they related to 14 years ago.

Mr Burke said the incident occurred at Christmas time and the defendant had been out drinking before he sent the text. “He sent this stupid text. He was very apologetic through the course of interview by gardaí,” Mr Burke said.

Furthermore, the defendant had since given up drink and gone to Bruree, Co Limerick, for residential treatment for his drink problem and related aftercare.

Mr Burke said the domestic issues at the heart of the case were now being addressed through the proper channels by the defendant.

The solicitor asked the judge to consider not recording a conviction against the defendant for breaching a barring order.

“I would be anxious that he would not be tainted with a conviction.”

Judge Olann Kelleher adjourned the case until September and remarked: “I find the facts proved. If he stays out of trouble I will see what I can do.”

This story first appeared in the Irish Examiner .