Discussion about Christmas money sparks threat, Kildare court hears
Photo for illustrative purposes only
JUDGE Desmond Zaidan assisted a terrified woman seeking a protection order who feared her ex might find her new address through official correspondence, by asking the court garda to issue the order to him in person.
The female appellant appeared behind the closed doors of Naas Circuit Court last Thursday to make her case in front of the judge and explained that her ex was still “the father of my child”.
“On Monday night (14 December) we were having a conversation about Christmas money and maintenance, and he didn’t like that,” she said.
“He said he’d kill me in front of everyone I knew, after he found out where I lived.
“He has threatened me multiple times, so I contacted the gardaí, and they said to go for a repeat order."
“Is this true?” asked Judge Zaidan holding up her statement.
“Yes,” confirmed the woman.
“I was here last April, but it was a different judge and he said it (my statement) wasn’t enough,” she said.
Judge Zaidan then granted her an interim protection order until full hearing on 27 July.
This temporary order is the protocol for ex parte (one person) hearings.
He then told her the former partner would be notified formally by post, and would be expected to attend the July date.
“What if he sees my (new) address on that, and he comes to my home?” she said quite fearfully.
“I had a woman in here last week like you, and this is what I did,” said the judge.
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll be getting the gardaí to serve it, and have a proper chat with him,” he said.
“Because of your concerns, I want you to give his number to (the court garda),” he concluded.
