A pet shop manager made phone calls threatening to "kill" his stepdaughter during a property dispute in Dublin, a court has heard.
Brian Dixon (65) pleaded guilty to sending a message by phone to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person on December 19th, 2021.
Dublin District Court heard he phoned Victoria Haskins, the daughter of his deceased former partner, at her home address in St Conleth's Park in Walkinstown.
Judge Susan Fay heard Dixon, of Parnell Street, Dublin, made two calls to Ms Haskins. He told her he was coming to Walkinstown, adding: "I am going to come and pull you out and kill you."
Ms Haskins immediately recognised the number, and was in fear as she believed Dixon could carry out the threat.
The court heard the accused has eight prior convictions.
Ms Haskins gave a victim impact statement in court, telling Judge Fay: "I'm constantly living in fear of what this man is capable of.
"When he was in the house, I had to lock myself in my bedroom in constant fear. I'm terrified of what this man is capable of," she said.
The prosecution accepted he was drunk when he made the phone calls, and that he has abided by bail conditions and cooperated with the court process.
Defence solicitor Donal Quigley asked for leniency, telling the judge the accused's "emotions got the better of him".
Mr Quigley submitted that there had been an issue regarding the family home, which he said Dixon should have handled better.
Counsel told the court his client had worked all his life, was apologetic, and intended to stay away in the future.
He said it had affected Dixon, whose family got involved, adding they hoped the parties would move on and there would be some form of reconciliation.
Judge Fay described it as "very serious" and adjourned the case for Probation Service assessment of his suitability for 150 hours of community service instead of a three-month jail sentence.
Dixon was remanded on bail to appear again in February.
