Clever ruling benefits child at Kildare court
Photo for illustrative purposes
A Judge came up with an innovative way to deal with a man convicted of breaching a safety order – by suggesting his ex use his €500 poor box donation to set up a bank account for their daughter.
During the family law 'in camera' sessions in Athy last week, a man was up for breaching the order taken out by his ex-wife in 2024 with what was described as “verbal abuse”.
“My client is going through an acrimonious divorce and he felt she was alienating him from their child,” said solicitor Tim Kennelly. After being reminded that the maximum sentence for this breach was 12 months in jail, Mr Kennelly sought another avenue, saying: “He has a €500 donation in court”.
“I’d rather spend the €500 on his daughter,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan. “He’d be happy to spend that on his daughter,” said Mr Kennelly, but the judge was not taking it for granted.
“Sergeant, take this and tell the mother to open an account for her so if she needs something for school or sports."
