Allegedly violent husband held in custody at Kildare court
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN who has allegedly assaulted his wife for five years, and whose behaviour in the marriage is so bad their preteen daughter is pulling out her eyelashes and attending psychiatric treatment, has been remanded in custody for another fortnight.
The man appeared behind closed doors in Naas District Court last week week from custody where he has been since 8 May for a breach of a safety order at an address in Co Kildare, and who last appealed his detention three weeks ago in Athy where gardaí successfully opposed bail.
His solicitor Seamus Boyle told the court he had not yet obtained “full disclosure” – that is, all the garda evidence in the case – but that his client had a bail application pending in the High Court on Tuesday (10 June).
“There are other matters in, in two weeks,” interjected Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.
“They are all of a similar matter,” noted Mr Boyle.
“This matter is for hearing,” the sergeant reminded the judge.
Judge Desmond Zaidan accepted this, and remanded him into custody again for another fortnight until 19 June, although accepting the man might be given his liberty in the meantime.
“It is possible you could get bail in the High Court this week, and if so, you will have to come here on your own on 19 June,” said the judge as the man was led back down.
On his last appearance in Athy District Court on 13 May he investigating garda said he objected to bail due to “possible interference with the witness”.
He told the court how the wife had contacted her local garda station at 8pm on 8 May saying the accused was outside the house trying to get one of the children to open to door and let him inside.
The defendant now lives in a separate county after his wife was successful in gaining the safety order in April in Naas District Court, but was arrested outside the family house.
The garda said this was the sixth breach of the order, and that the defendant had been bailed both in February – “by yourself, judge” – and again in March.
“Having marital difficulties?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan at that appearance three weeks ago.
“It’s really bad,” admitted the wife in evidence.
She told the judge the had been in Ireland for 10 years since coming from a north African country, and she had no other relatives in the country.
“The marriage is in a really, really bad way,” she said. “My child is having to go to a psychiatric clinic.
He’s threatening me on religion and culture, and I have to obey my husband whatever he says."
“For how long?” asked the judge.
“Can’t say, over 15 years, he’s done it to me so bad,” she said.
“Has he physically assaulted you?” asked the judge.
“Yes, for five years, he’s always had problems with me,” she said.
“The lower kids never witnessed assault, one (daughter) is enough, and she is getting psychiatric help to get through,” said the woman.
“My beautiful dream girl is pulling out her eyelashes.
“He’s making it really hard for me.
“He sent my private pictures back to my country, he sent them to my mother.
“Why?” asked the judge.
“Because he said I dress like a Western woman – he has destroyed my reputation in (named home country).
“Then, last Friday my (younger) child was panicking saying: ‘I saw daddy in the back garden’.
“I have a camera in the garden, but when I went to it the memory card was taken from it.
“This man needs help. He’s still sneaking into the house, jumping the wall from the neighbours.
“He always want to know what I’m doing, and has asked my (preteen) daughter about her period. I don’t want him near me."
On that day his then barrister made assurances of behaviour to the court, however Sergeant Hanrahan reminded the judge: “Promises were made to you before, and a young girl is pulling out her eyelashes”.
