A bitter custody dispute has landed an Irishman, 50 year-old Patrick Powell, in the Missoula County Jail on $25,000 bond for a stalking charge.

According to court documents, Powell has violated an order of protection numerous times against the victim, identified as Jane Doe. The communications continued even after Powell was warned by police not to violate the order of protection. On July 13, the victim called police and told them she had found a note tucked in her gate which had the word 'DEAD' written on it. She told police she did not want to end up like Charlie Ann Wyrick, who was beaten to death by her boyfriend in 2015. Then, after a scheduled visit with the minor child, the child presented two figurines to Jane Doe and on the bottom of one was the word 'DEAD'. She has since moved out of her residence to an unknown location.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Selene Koepke asked Judge Marie Anderson for $50,000 bail.

"The defendant has consistently violated an order of protection in this case," Koepke said. "There have been death threats in this case that he appears to be responsible for, and they appear to be an escalation of his previous disregard for the court order. The State is also asking for $50,000 due to the fact that he is an Irish citizen which is why we would ask that he surrender his passport."

Judge Anderson set bail at $25,000, at which point Powell communicated directly to the judge, asking that the bond be lowered, and that the victim, Jane Doe and her friends had threatened his life, as well.

Judge Anderson ordered Powell to abide by the order of protection if he is released, and to obey the current parenting plan put in place by another court.

Powell's next appearance will be August 9.

More From KBUL NEWS TALK 970 AM & 103.3 FM