Kildare daughters provide powerful statements after assault by father

A JUDGE was very impressed with the content of the victim impact statements (VIS) given by two daughters in a case where there father was convicted on two counts of simple assault.

“These are some very powerful words … I’m finding this very hard to read, but she’s a brave girl and hopefully the medical team will help her move on,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan at a closed Family Law hearing in Naas recently.

The incident occurred at an address in Co Kildare on 13 April 2023 after a garda welfare officer visited the address after “two children reported their father came home drunk, and argued with them about going to the funeral”.

“It is alleged he grabbed one child by the arm,” said the investigating officer.

There was a little confusion then, as all were in court to accept into VIS from the two girls to then rule on sentencing, however defending solicitor David Powderley said: “There are three statements and only two victims.” 

“Guard, this is getting very messy. You are going to have to sort it out,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan.

“The mother wrote one too,” said the garda.

“I can understand the mother making a victim impact statement as well,” nodded the judge.

“I believed we were here to plead guilty to two section two assaults,” said Mr Powderley.

“I accept Mr Powderley’s assertion,” said the judge as he began reading the three statements.

“(One of the daughters) makes reference to manhandling her arm, causing bruising … then you said he made a racial slur?” the judge addressed the mother.

The court was told the daughter was going out with a male from another country.

“Communication?” asked the judge.

“(Daughter one) speaks occasionally to her father, but (the other daughter) has spoken to him since the incident,” said the mother.

“I do apologise, but I lost two kids that night,” said the defendant who, it was revealed, had no previous convictions.

“The probation report suggests he might benefit from MEND (Men Ending Domestic Abuse),” said Mr Powderley.

“My client regrets his actions, and was completely out of order.

“We should allow this family to continue doing what it’s doing,” he said, and asked for just a peace bond.

“Basically, the father came home after a few drinks, and things got out of control … there was angry shouting and not very nice words being used like fat, faggot and a racial slur beginning with ‘N’,” noted the judge.

The judge said he had concerns about what had occurred to one of the daughters due to her present circumstances. However he said he was really struck by the contents of the other daugther's victim impact statement.

“The things that came up in her victim impact statement…,” the judge trailed off.

“She ran away, wanted to die and be a few days dead before being found, because of my dad,” he quoted.

“You know I’ve been triggered every single day because of you, it’s like a knife through your head.

“I spent eight days in hospital, and those were the worst days of my life,” he read.

“She struggles with male voices behind her, has her good days and bad days, but she is seeing a counsellor in school,” said the mother.

“I was sent to a psychiatric hospital because of you … you destroyed me, but yet I still can’t hate you, I want to hug you because you’re my daddy … I’ve said my piece, I love you.” 

After reading the statement, the judge said: “Tell (the daughter) I believe everything she told me."

“I’m proud how she can forgive her dad and still love him.

“OK. He’s admitted his offences, but both girls say that with alcohol he is a demon.

“When they have it on board they get vexed with loved ones, and that’s tragic.

“MEND is a programme for men who accept their responsibilities … it requires a probation referral, it is a programme of one-to-one and group sessions, and must be completed successfully.

“The probation officer has recommended a 12-month probation bond, and maintain all appointments with the probation services.

“If you’re not happy you can re-enter (the case), but if they do, I’ll send him to jail.

“It’s a real credit to the girls, but I am concerned about (one of the daughters), because some of the things in her report are mind-boggling!”