Buncrana man who was behind bars in Australia extradited to face new charges

A Buncrana has been extradited from Australia after serving a jail sentence for stalking and threatening his ex-girlfriend in order to face further charges.

Gavin Porter appeared at Letterkenny District Court after being arrested at Dublin Airport on Sunday when he landed on a plane from Australia.

The 34-year-old, who is originally from Buncrana, has just served a two year sentence for stalking and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend in Australia.

During his court case in Australia, the court heard that Porter sent mum-of-three Tash Kramer up to 3,000 text messages with some messages threatening to “cut your throat” and “make your life hell”.

Evidence heard how Porter would drive past Kramer’s house in Benalla, north-east of Melbourne, and persistently call her.

Ms Kramer said he would then “beg for forgiveness” and the cycle would repeat itself.

A magistrate in Australia described the case as one of the worst family violence cases they’ve ever heard in a courtroom.

Porter was eventually sentenced to two years in prison and was released in recent days.

Porter appeared at Letterkenny District Court to face four charges dating back to 2018.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage as well as two public order charges.

The charges arose out of an incident on April 2, 2018.

He admitted kicking the wing mirror off a car and when arrested he also urinated in a cell at Buncrana Garda Station.

The accused man was brought to court by arrangement having been met off the plane at Dublin Airport by Gardai from Buncrana.

Garda Thomas Duggan of Buncrana Garda Station said he arrested Porter at Dublin Airport and brought him to Donegal where he was held overnight before appearing at today's court sitting.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client had been extradited from Australia where he has been for the past five years.

He said the case could not have been dealt with any quicker and that his client was pleading to all charges.

He revealed that his client had encountered a "difficulty" in Australia and had "paid his price to society", dealt with the matter and was now back in Ireland to face these charges.

Judge Emile Daly said she was not aware of his difficulty in Australia but Mr Gallagher said they had been well documented.

He added his client put his hands up to the new charges which he said happened while the accused was drunk.

He said his family had raised any money that was needed by the court by way of compensation and that Porter's mother was now in court with him having not seen her son for five years.

Passing sentence, Judge Daly said Gardai had to deal with this matter "in a way which Gardai should not have to deal with such a matter."

She fined Porter a total of €700 including €200 compensation for the damage caused to the wing mirror of the car.