Pearse McCauley, a prominent republican, has pleaded guilty to four charges at Cavan Circuit Court following an incident at his estranged wife’s home on Christmas Eve last.
McCauley (50), originally from Strabane but with an address at Cavan Bank Walk, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty to the production of a knife in the course of a dispute at Kilderry, Kilnaleck, Cavan, on December 24th last year.
He also pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning his estranged wife, former Sinn Féin councillor Pauline Tully McCauley, and to intentionally/recklessly causing serious harm to her on the same occasion.
McCauley also pleaded guilty to threatening to kill her brother Tommy during the same incident.
McCauley answered “guilty” to each of the charges.
Defence counsel Eanna Mulloy SC told the court McCauley had been in custody in Castlerea prison since the incident and he asked Judge John O’Hagan if sentencing could be put back until after Christmas this year to allow for reports to be furnished to the court.
Prosecuting counsel Monica Lawlor BL said that would mean an adjournment until March next year but she understood the sentencing would be adjourned until the November sitting of the court.
Judge O’Hagan remanded McCauley in custody to Castlerea prison to appear again at Cavan Circuit Court on November 24th, when he will be sentenced.
The judge also ordered the preparation of a victim impact report on Ms Tully and a probation and welfare report on McCauley.