Man seeks protection against girlfriend at Kildare court
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A man with an intellectual disability appeared before Naas Circuit Court in pursuit of a protection order against his girlfriend.
It was said the man had sustained ongoing abuse from his girlfriend and her family both physically and emotionally.
The man explained that he had covered for his girlfriend for some time, saying that his injuries came from accidents such as falling off his scooter.
The man said had been receiving threatening texts from the woman and her family which put the man in fear – especially as he shared accommodation with the woman.
The girlfriend reportedly has access to his social media accounts and has been “wiping” messages between the two of them.
It is also alleged that the woman and family have attempted to use the man’s bank details for online purchases.
The man explained that the stress became so extreme that he was paranoid, believing that her and her family were “drugging” him.
However, drug tests revealed that there were no illicit substances in his system.
The man explained that him and the woman have been in a relationship for six years, living together since 2021 and told the court that the abuse became very detrimental to his mental health to the point that he visited the doctor as he was under a lot of stress.
The man explained that the woman had pursued a protection order against him but argued that “she is the aggressor in the situation”. Evidence was handed to Judge Miriam Walsh for consideration which included photos of alleged abrasions on the man’s arm.
The man’s relative who was present at the sitting shared that the man had escaped the home and had to live in a hostel where he was subject to people taking drugs and alcohol and being bullied due to his disability.
“He has no other place to call home,” they said. “He has to go back to the home until the care team find somewhere more suitable.”
Judge Walsh granted the man’s application, giving him protection from threatening or abusive behaviour from the woman.
The man was ordered back to the court in early 2026 to apply for a safety order, which lasts a period of up to five years.
