Dublin man agrees to stay away from ex-girlfriend

A Dublin businessman has given an undertaking to the High Court to stay away from his former girlfriend and her new partner following…

A Dublin businessman has given an undertaking to the High Court to stay away from his former girlfriend and her new partner following allegations by them of harassment.

Mr Michael Fleming (56), of Stagg Rock, Nashville Park, Balscadden Road, Howth, gave the undertaking to Ms Justice Macken following proceedings taken by Ms Mary Keyes and Mr Dominick Hunt, both of Woodcliffe Heights, Howth.

Mr Fleming undertook not to approach or communicate with the couple or to attend at or near their residence. He further undertook not to communicate with others concerning the couple, other than for legitimate and bona fide purposes and not to trespass upon , interfere with or cause damage to their personal or real property.

In an affidavit presented to the court, Ms Keyes alleged that, since the break-up of her seven-year relationship with Mr Fleming in late 1997, that the businessman had been involved in a campaign of intimidation and harassment of her and her present partner, Mr Hunt.

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She said unhappy differences had arisen between her and Mr Fleming and their relationship ended in December 1997. After that, she claimed, Mr Fleming had become abusive and aggressive towards her and she had secured a District Court Protection Order.

She claimed Mr Fleming had harassed and intimidated her while she was in her car in Howth, She also claimed he had scored the car with a sharp object while it was parked near Howth Yacht Club on August 19th, 1998.

She said Mr Fleming had spoken to her in rude, vulgar and abusive terms and was intent on making her life unhappy.

In another affidavit, Mr Fleming said the termination of his relationship with Ms Keyes was a source of great stress and upset to him particularly because, he claimed, she had established a relationship with a person known to both of them as a family friend.

He claimed it was that new relationship that caused Ms Keyes to finish with him.

He said the end of the relationship had caused him enormous upset and anger which had manifested itself in anger and frustration. However, he claimed, any and all demonstrations of grief and anger were prompted by the "deliberately provocative and overbearing manner in which they flaunted their relationship before me at every available opportunity".

Mr Fleming admitted puncturing tyres on a car belonging to Mr Hunt and also admitted making phone calls to him. He said he did that "principally from my hospital bed having being admitted to hospital suffering from a breakdown and nervous exhaustion. I was not myself at this time and realise now such a volume of phone calls would have greatly upset and irritated the first-named plaintiff [Mr Hunt]".