Man attempted to strangle wife, Kildare court hears
Photo for illustrative purposes only
GARDAI involved in a report of domestic violence where the injured party reported attempted strangulation twice were advised by a judge to investigate the case for attempted murder.
The injured party appeared behind closed doors at a recent sitting of Naas District Court seeking a protection order from her husband.
She claimed she was the victim of “both physical and emotional abuse” in the weeks preceding her court appearance.
“He’s been hitting me, beating me up, and tried to strangle me twice,” she said.
“My wrists were swollen after a beating, and he’s controlling over my spending,” she added.
“Those are serious allegations. Did you report that to the guards?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“Yes,” replied the applicant.
“This is very serious. That could be seen as attempted murder,” reiterated the judge.
“Assault, strangulation, beatings, these are very serious charges.
“You will have to go back to that Guard and tell him to investigate fully, otherwise this (order) is just a piece of paper. The guards have to investigate.
“You don’t have to state if it is your free will, you must do so.
“Attempted strangulation twice? That’s very serious,” he repeated.
“There’s a criminal aspect to this that they must investigate” T
he applicant told the judge that: “I made complaints last week” to a named garda.
“And he is investigating? On both fronts?” asked the judge.
“Yes,” replied the woman.
“In fairness to the guard, he is doing it the right way,” said Judge Zaidan after hearing her confirmation.
I’m going to grant you a protection order, but you also qualify for a barring order,” he reminded her.
“I ticked both those boxes on the form,” she said.
The judge pointed out the court garda and said he would serve the order on her husband.
He then advised her that she also seek the assistance of the women’s refuge Teach Tearmainn, but was told a representative of the refuge was accompanying the applicant.
