'Obsessive' wife allegedly let cattle out onto road, Kildare court hears

A KILDARE farmer who alleges his wife is engaged in a campaign of abuse in an effort to get him off the land, including taking cattle, was granted an interim protection order in Athy District Court last week (24 February).

“She harasses me constantly, like letting the cattle out on the road,” said the man in his sixties in his testimony.

‘Turned Children Against Him’

“She lives on the farm, we have adult children, but she has turned them against me”.

The man had earlier referred to her as his “ex-wife”, but later clarified to say “we’re not divorced yet, but we’re currently going through family law proceedings”.

“I’m reading your statement here,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan.

“It says: ‘the wife demanded you get off the land, she got abusive with a young farm worker, she has a long history of violence, abuse and harassment’. Is this true?” asked the judge.

“She’s always shouting abuse at me, but hasn’t physically hit me yet,” said the appellant.

Slashed Tyres

“Previously, though, she slashed the tyres on my van, and has called me every name you can think of.

“She has banged on the windows of my new partner’s home, she’s removed cattle from a field and sold them, and she has forged my signature.

“She is behaving obsessively, and I am in constant fear.”

“How long has this been going on?” asked the judge of the man.

“Since shortly after we got married,” he replied.

“Once bitten, twice shy, and you now have a new partner, but I have no reason not to believe you,” said the judge.

“I see you’re shaking and distressed, you look after yourself now,” offered the judge as he granted the interim order, and adjourned a full hearing until 9 June.