*Jim Greene.
AN INAGH farmer has been charged with harassing a neighbouring young couple seeking to move into their new home near the village.
At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Jim Greene (55) of Ballyea North, Inagh was been charged with the harassment of couple, Robert Foley and Ciara O’Flynn on dates between February 17th to May 5th this year at Ballyea North, Inagh contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997.
Mr Greene is also facing an arson charge that on a date unknown between April 2nd and April 15th 2025 at Ballyea North, Inagh did commit criminal damage by fire a number of items and all household contents to the value of €16,743 at Ballyea North, Inagh.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Bríon Dolan told the court that when charged and cautioned before court on Tuesday, Mr Green tore up the three charge sheets in front of him.
Garda Dolan told the court in reply to caution “Mr Greene said ‘these are not charges of law. This is a spiritual law matter’ and he proceeded to tear up the charge sheets”.
Sgt John Burke said that the DPP has instructed that the case go forward to the Circuit Court on indictment and a Book of Evidence is required.
In a separate harassment case of a former neighbour against Mr Greene before the court a Book of Evidence was served in the case.
In that case, Mr Greene is charged with harassing John O’Brien at Ballyea North, Inagh on dates between January 27th 2024 and February 18th this year contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
Solicitor for Mr Greene, Tara Godfrey asked Judge Alec Gabbett that the legal aid certificate be extended for an updated psychiatric assessment but Mr Greene from the custody suite in the court asked Ms Godfrey to stop addressing the court on his behalf as “it is a spiritual law matter and that is it”.
Mr Greene has been on remand in custody at Limerick prison since May 7th.
At a court hearing in May where Judge Gabbett refused bail, the judge said that the couple, Robert Foley and Ciara O’Flynn in question have been “driven so demented” by the actions of Jim Greene that they have been forced to take out a circuit court injunction against him.
Mr Greene is already accused of the burglary at the home of the two at Ballyea North, Inagh on dates between April 2nd and April 15th last.
Garda Dolan told the court at the contested bail hearing that for the month of March, Mr Greene had his car parked on the roadway and a very narrow lane leading to the couple’s home which blocked access to their home which they have a mortgage on.
Garda Dolan said that Mr Greene blocking access has meant that the couple have been unable to move into a property they purchased late last year.
During the contested bail hearing, Garda Dolan said that it will be further alleged that subsequently Mr Greene emailed the new home owner’s solicitors to say that he was “God’s Enforcer acting under spiritual policeman’s law which he feels entitles him to enter the property and buildings to investigate witchcraft and Voodoo”.
Solicitor for Mr Greene, Tara Godfrey previously said that Mr Greene has no history of criminal behaviour. Ms Godfrey said that Mr Greene is a farmer with a small land-holding and has animals to look after.
