Man kidnapped ex-wife for 24 hours and threatened to kill her

A man from County Meath has been sentenced to five years imprisonment following his conviction for falsely imprisoning and threatening to kill his former wife at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. On 20 September 2021, the 24-year-old forced the woman into his vehicle in County Kildare and drove her across the border towards Fermanagh, evading gardaí for approximately 24 hours. During the ordeal, he made threats against both their lives and stated he would damage her reputation within the Travelling community. The victim was denied food and minimal access to facilities. She attempted to seek help from armed police officers in Enniskillen but provided false details out of fear. The following morning, the accused returned towards the jurisdiction and was apprehended at a garda checkpoint. He has remained in custody since his arrest. The court noted the severity of depriving the victim of her liberty whilst she lived in terror, emphasising the defendant's awareness of his actions throughout the incident.