Mayo man remanded in custody after 'telling lies' to court

A man who ‘told lies’ in court has been remanded in custody.

Sebastian Chatlis, aged 42, of Northbrook, Castlebar, previously pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace and two counts of criminal damage before a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.

The offences occurred inside a two-week period in October 2022.

On October 18, 2022, it was reported to gardai that Chatlis had breached a Protection Order.

He was intoxicated and banging on the door of his former partner at Northbrook.

She was not home at the time and he broke a flower pot and a doorbell.

Chatlis fled the scene before gardai arrived but was later arrested.

At 4.21 a.m., on October 21, 2022, gardai were called to a disturbance at Northbrook.

Chatlis was drunk and banging on the front door.

He then kicked in the back door and grabbed his ex-partner by the throat. She managed to get him out the back door again and he produced some papers and a lighter and threatened to burn the house down.

The accused was arrested at 5.45 a.m.

On October 6, 2022, it was was reported that Chatlis was threatening his former partner with a knife.

When gardai arrived at the scene, the front door was open and Chatlis was shouting in the hall. He told officers to ‘F*** off’.

The accused was holding a leather belt and there was a dinner knife on the floor. He resisted arrest and had to be pepper-sprayed and struck with a baton on the leg before being restrained and handcuffed.

The court heard his ex-partner made a withdrawal statement.

Chatlis has 12 previous convictions.

Judge Eoin Garavan said he wanted proof that the accused is alcohol and drug free.

The case was adjourned for hair follicle testing to be carried out.

The judge wanted hair follicle tests for July and October this year.

Chatlis had initially claimed that he sought a hair follicle test in July but was told his hair was too short.

However, when the case came before the court again last week a GP confirmed this was not the case.

The court was told Chatlis submitted a hair follicle for testing the day before last Friday’s hearing.

“This was an appallingly serious matter and he just told lies,” said Judge Garavan.

He indicated he was going to remand Chatlis in custody.

Barrister Diarmuid Connolly sought leniency for his client, stating that Chatlis has previously spent time in custody on these matters and was assaulted while in prison.

He said Chatlis is back in a relationship with the injured party.

Judge Garavan said he would not be changing his mind.

“He’s going to get a custodial sentence on these matters,” said the Judge.

He said Chatlis has continually obstructed and sought to delay the sentencing process.

The court heard the case has been before the courts for two and a half years.

“All the adjournments were in ease of him, and he has lied to the court,” said Judge Garavan.

“He will get the message eventually,” the Judge added.

Chatlis was remanded in custody until this Thursday when his sentencing will be finalised.

(Funded under the Courts Reporting Scheme).