A prosecution solicitor told the local Magistrates' Court that Harkin had a verbal confrontation with his ex-wife at the front door of her home.
"The four children aged from six to fifteen were in the house and heard the argument and the youngest daughter placed herself between her father and mother", the solicitor said.
A defence barrister said that not only was Harkin in breach of a court order, but also he was in breach of a suspended sentence.
"There was no violence, there was no threat of violence. He did not strike his ex-wife and he did not threaten to strike her. He was drunk at the time and he got his dates mixed up because of his condition.
"He and his ex-wife had now have a reconciliation in terms of his future access to their children," the barrister said.
Jailing Harkin for five months, District Judge Barney McElholm said it was time Harkin addressed his problem with alcohol. Mr. McElholm then fixed appeal bail of £1,000.