Blake Wickham (23), of 20 Caislean Maol, New Ross, has pleaded guilty at Wexford District Court to threatening to share intimate pictures of his former partner and to burn down her grandparents’ home.
On 20 June 2022, the woman’s grandparents received threatening text messages from Wickham, prompting her to attend a garda station. He had threatened to burn down the farm and share intimate images of the woman if she did not respond to his messages.
Wickham also faced charges related to drug possession. He was searched at Whitemill Road, Wexford, on 31 May 2021, where gardaí discovered €50 worth of cannabis. On a separate occasion, he was found with two bags of cocaine.
On 21 March 2023, Wickham engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour at Bunscoil Rís National School in New Ross. When the school principal asked him to control his two dogs that were wandering loose, Wickham said: “If you call the dog warden and let him take the dogs we will have a conversation and that conversation will not go well for you.”
Wickham was charged with criminal damage at his home address on 29 November 2022. He was kicking the door and the property had been set on fire, causing significant smoke and fire damage.
Donna Kelly BL, counsel for Wickham, told the court he has a significant difficulty with drugs and is on a methadone programme receiving 100mg methadone daily. He is willing to engage fully with rehabilitation services but this cannot progress until his dosage is reduced to 50mg.
Wickham is attending counselling and anger management to help with symptoms of drug withdrawal. His counsel described him as someone who “acts first and thinks later.”
Judge Cheatle said he would like a valuation of the damage done at 20 Caislean Maol before finalising matters. The case was adjourned to 21 September 2026 for a probation report and a community service assessment to be carried out.