Courts / Ireland / Report
Judge sure Bruce Springsteen 'wouldn't be too happy' music used to breach safety order
Summary
An unnamed man, who pleaded guilty to breaching a safety order, had his conviction removed on appeal. In March 2025, he received a one-month suspended sentence for sending a woman videos of a Bruce Springsteen concert and a YouTube link between February and June 2024, contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. The appellant lodged an appeal against the severity of that term. Judge Christopher Callan, presiding over the District Court Appeals Court, noted that Springsteen "would not be too happy" to see his music used in this manner. While acknowledging the victim impact statement detailed the fear caused by the communications, the judge accepted defence counsel Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh's submission that the man showed sincere remorse and that a conviction would have life-altering effects on his employment and travel. The judge decided to remove the criminal conviction on the condition that the man pays a donation of €1,000 to Women's Aid. The existing safety order, which has been extended with the client's consent, remains in place until 2030.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge sure Bruce Springsteen 'wouldn't be too happy' music used to breach safety order. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 20, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-07-28 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He received a one-month suspended sentence in March 2025 and later lodged an appeal against the severity of that term.
Places mentioned
- District Court Appeals Court
- Croke Park
Topics
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