‘You have the protection of the gardaí’: Kerry judge assures woman during domestic violence application

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A judge assured a woman that gardaí, and the law, stood behind her at a recent domestic violence application in Tralee District Court.

The woman described her fear about coming forward to seek protection from her partner.

She described physical violence, sexual coercion and an “uncontrolled escalation of abuse”.

She left their home to stay with family.

She told the judge they currently shared custody of their children.

“I’d like them to be with me because I don’t think he’s fit,” she said.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican explained a protection order meant he could not use or threatened to use violence and banned him from watching, being near or ‘hanging around’ her residence.

She told the applicant that she met the threshold for an interim barring order, which would bar him from their family home.

Protection orders and interim barring orders are both temporary measures until there can be a full court hearing before a judge for a permanent order.

The applicant said an interim barring order was unnecessary because she would not feel safe in their home, despite a court order.

“I don’t want to go back to the property because I don’t feel safe there. It’s where everything happened,” she said.

“I’m going to ask the guards to serve him,” said the judge.

The judge noted the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and Adapt Kerry Women’s Refuge provide support.

The judge assured the applicant she would not be identified in any way by journalists.

“It’s in the interest of the public for people to know what’s going on behind closed doors,” said the judge. “You have the protection of the gardaí.”

If you have been affected by issues in this article, you can call Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre on freephone at 1800 63 33 33 for professional, free and confidential counselling

Or you call Adapt Kerry Women’s Refuge 24-hour helpline 066 712 9100 or email support@kerryrefuge.com or visit kerryrefuge.com

Or you call Women’s Aid National freephone 1800 341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie or visit womensaid.ie

Or you call Men’s Aid on 01 554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie or visit mensaid.ie