Attic lurker shown mercy by former partner at Kildare court
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN who has been in custody for six weeks for stalking of his estranged wife – including hiding in the attic while she was in the house – was told to thank his ex for her mercy after she opposed the custodial sentence the judge was about to impose.
“He has that woman there to thank,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan at a closed sitting of the family law sessions in Naas District court recently.
“If it wasn’t for (named woman) I’d be sending him to jail,” said Judge Zaidan to the defendant.
“You don’t have to thank me, you have to thank (her) the woman you caused hurt… if it was up to me, you’d be sent to jail.” “He’s pleading guilty to everything,” said defending solicitor Seamus Boyle, referring to the five protection order breaches, and ones safety order breach committed between 11 February and 8 May.
Sergeant Dave Hanrahan informed the court that on two of these occasions “he engaged in inappropriate physical contact of a sexual matter, attempted to kiss her, and pushed her”.
“In March he was seen in the back garden of the house, but on seeing (the injured party) he fled,” said the sergeant.
“Later that day after she had taken the kids to school, she returned home and that night she thought she heard noises in the attic, and then saw him coming down from the attic,” he said.
Because of the guilty plea, he could reveal the defendant had no previous convictions.
The ex-wife the gave her evidence, and told the court: “My children are in a really bad situation, crying for their father. They do not understand”.
“I’m pleading for a little mercy, he works in his job for the sake of the children … I’m broke,” she explained.
“He supports you?” asked the judge.
“Yes,” she said.
At this point the judge informed her about the women’s refuge Teach Tearmainn, which has a satellite office across the road from the court, and who had a representative in court for this case.
“He’s just your ex-partner, but your kids are your blood relatives,” said the judge.
“If released will he go back to the house?” “No. Our marriage is finished, but I want him to see the children,” she said.
“She’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, but still wants this man to have access -but as parents, not lovers,” said the judge to the Teach Tearmainn representative.
“He will stay away from (named town in Kildare), and his children will be brought to him,” said Mr Boyle.
“That’s the type of man he is – desperate – and he’s very lucky his (ex) wife is saying this.
“He made a complete fool of himself.
“He certainly learnt his lesson once and for all,” said Mr Boyle.
The judge then ruled that another friend “can bring the children to him, but he must stay away from her house”.
“He has that woman to thank,” concluded the judge, as he finally released the man on a peace bond of €1,000, to be bound over for a year.
