Kerry judge threatens father with prison for continuously failing to appear in court
The KerrymanA judge threatened a father with prison for repeatedly failing to appear in court for child maintenance hearings.
The man whose name cannot be published for legal reasons, appeared before Listowel District Court.
“It’s clear to me this man has behaved despicably as regards this case,” said the judge.
The judge noted the father was entitled to make a case for why he could not pay the child maintenance but he was obliged to engage with the court.
“It’s six times we’ve had to issue a warrant to get this man to court,” said the judge.
The mother confirmed she had repeatedly taken time off work to attend court.
“He’s not here because he has no money, he’s here because he’s refusing to engage with the court,” said the judge.
The father owes his wife €13,400 for child maintenance since January 2023. She last received payment in summer 2024.
The case was adjourned to February 13 in Listowel. The judge excused the mother’s attendance on that date and then addressed the man directly.
“The reason that you’ve ended up in custody is because you won’t come to court,” he said. “I’m going to finalise this matter very shortly and if you’re still not engaging, I’m going to send you to prison.”