Woman tells Kildare judge that her husband is acting aggressively in front of their children

A woman told a Naas District Court judge that her husband is acting in an aggressive manner towards her in front of their children.

The claim was heard during an in-camera (in private) court session held at the courthouse on Thursday, January 25, and the woman was applying for an interim protection order against her husband.

She alleged to Judge Desmond Zaidan that her husband had been acting 'aggressive' towards her, and has also been insulting towards both her and members of her family.

The woman added that she and her husband first got married in 2018, but the relationship soon soured between them.

When Judge Zaidan asked the woman if the children have witnessed any of the alleged abusive behaviour by the man, the woman replied: "Yes, he is doing everything in front of them."

"Why do you think he is behaving this way towards you?" Judge Zaidan asked her.

"I don't know," she replied.

When the judge asked her if he drinks heavily, she responded: "He does drink, but only on special occasions."

Judge Desmond Zaidan presided over the case.

It was heard that the man and woman still live together.

Speaking to a nearby garda, Judge Zaidan jokingly remarked: "You see that? You are passing the wrong laws... you need to outlaw relationships."

Turning to speak to the woman again, the judge said: "If he has been behaving like this in front of the kids, for the last five or six years... then he isn't going to change."

Judge Zaidan asked the woman, who is a foreign national, if she has any family in Ireland, she said: "My sister has been since July."

"Are you totally dependent on him (the man)?" he asked her, to which she responded: "I was, but I have a job now, and my sister helps to mind my children."

The judge then asked her: "Do your parents know about his alleged behaviour?"

"My dad knows, yes," she replied.

Judge Zaidan decided to grant the woman the interim protection order until the case resumes on a date in July for hearing.

He also urged her to make sure that she attends the hearing, and added that if she has any immediate concerns for her safety, she should go to her nearest garda station. 

If you have been affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Women's Aid at 1800 341 900 or emailing helpline@womensaid.ie, or Men's Aid by ringing 01 554 3811 or emailing hello@mensaid.ie.

Additionally, you can find resources to help you by emailing Samaritans Ireland at jo@samaritans.ie, or by ringing 116 123.