Mother and daughter get orders against alleged ketchup bully at Kildare court
Both women appeared at an ex parte, in camera hearing at Athy District Court Photo: Aisling Hyland
A MOTHER and her daughter both got separate protection orders from a “violent” son and brother who once emptied a bottle of ketchup over his sister’s head.
Both women appeared at an ex parte, in camera hearing at Athy District Court with the mother going first.
“My (named adult son) has been on the drugs for 10 years,” she began.
“He is very aggressive, he has hit the door, the walls, pushed me, threatened me, hit me.
“He has a possession case in court in November.
“He lives with me, and his father is not in his life.
“He shouts very loudly in my face, he has broken the television, and he’s been fined €1,000,” she said.
“You say he’s been pushing you for years, bullying?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“I’m afraid of him because I called the guards on him, and he was arrested two months ago,” she replied.
“He smokes cannabis, drinks alcohol, and I’m scared he’d hurt us in his anger,” she said quietly.
“How long has he been taking drugs?” asked the judge.
“Ten years,” replied the mother.
“That’s really desperate, taking drugs since he was 13?” said an incredulous Judge Zaidan.
“He is over 18, so your duty to him is expired. He has no right to stay in your house anymore. Does he work?” asked the judge, to which the mother replied simply: “no”.
“Did he finish school?” asked the judge, to which the mother replied: “YouthReach”.
The judge then granted the woman an interim protection order and adjourned a full hearing on the case until 12 January.
Next up was the adult daughter who also lives in the same house.
“This is depressing, sad, abusive to your mum,” began the judge.
“You live in the same house, so why are you afraid of him?” asked the judge.
“He’s very aggressive to me, he smashed the TV four days ago, and he threatens to smash my head in,” she said.
“How long has he behaved like this?” asked the judge.
“As long as I can remember,” said the young woman.
“He is mentally and physically abusive, and he makes me terrified.
“I hide in rooms with locks; I’m scared for my life. He locks me out of the house; he corners me and shouts.
“He once poured an entire bottle of ketchup over my head, and has even pulled a knife on me,” she revealed.
That was enough for the judge, who also granted this woman an interim order, and set her full hearing for the same date as her mother’s in January.
