Kildare woman alleges brother sexually assaulted her

A woman who alleged she had been sexually and physically assaulted by her brother was given a temporary restraining order against him in Athy District Family Sessions earlier this week.

The reason it was only a temporary order was because it was ex parte, that is to say, only one party — the complainant — was in court.

This means to make it more permanent, Judge Desmond Zaidan ordered that the man accused must be given his chance to be heard at a second hearing in Naas District Court this week.

Shame

To complicate the matter, the woman is carer for their elderly father, who suffers from a debilitating condition and he tends to tell the son when the daughter is at home alone, putting her in additional fear.

With regards to these allegations, why did you never press charges?” asked the judge.

“They said I’d bring shame on the family,” she wept.

“The abuse started as a child and carried on for years,” she added.

The judge explained that he was issuing what is called a Civil Restraining Order, which came into being on 1 September, and is the same as the old Protection Order with the same procedures.

However, it was revealed that the accused’s given address was now his place of work.

“I haven’t this other man, but I am not comfortable serving an order to his place of work,” said the judge.

So he directed the gardaí to serve this order and turned to the sergeant in charge and asked: “Can you be discreet?”

The woman in question, who was in a state of some distress throughout the proceedings, was assisted by a friend, who was able to clarify a point or two for the judgem Both stayed after proceedings while the court staff made out the order there and then so she could take it with her as she left.