Pensioner served with divorce papers threatened to burn down family home, court hears [Video]

A PENSIONER FRESHLY served with divorce papers has been accused of breaking a safety order by locking his wife out of their house and threatening to burn it down.

The man, in his 70s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, avoided being held in custody when he appeared before Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court on Saturday after being charged under the Domestic Violence Act.

He has yet to indicate a plea, but the court heard the retired father told gardaí, “All lies, I did nothing,” when they charged him that morning.

Following a recess to allow him to instruct his barrister, the court heard that he was applying for bail.

The judge was told the man allegedly told his wife to go out and bring back some money.It was claimed that “He locked her out and then threatened to burn the house down”.

Gardaí arrived at …