Son threatens to kill father over hairdryer, Kildare court hears
Athy courthouse Photo: Aisling Hyland
A MAN whose son threatened to kill his parents over the noise of a hairdryer had a Protection Order granted and told to come back to court for a full hearing in a fortnight after the judge said: “I’m concerned for your partner”.
Behind closed doors in Athy District Court before start of normal business Judge Desmond Zaidan took all the applications for Protection and Safety Orders, and first up was an elderly gent assisted by an adult daughter because he was a little hard of hearing.
The man explained how he was seeking protection from an adult son who was “abusive and violent”.
“Is he on drugs?” asked the judge.
“No drugs, he only smokes cigarettes,” said the father.
“Something’s not right,” commented the judge.
He asked the woman who she was and when she explained, he said: “Thanks for supporting your dad, that’s very good of you”.
“We’re very close,” she said simply.
“Fair play to you,” replied the judge.
“We’ve rang the Guards twice,” he said.
“Charged?” “We hadn’t the heart to do it,” he said.
“Their hands are tied if you don’t,” warned the judge.
“Give me an example,” he pressed.
“Last Sunday my partner was upstairs drying her hair and he went off, went upstairs and pinned her on the bed,” said the father.
“I dragged him off, and he said he’d kill the pair of us.
“I told him I’ve had two heart attacks, and I don’t want to fight you, and he said I’ll make sure you have a third one,” said the father.
“I don’t want to say too much because he’s not here, but what do you want? You merit a Barring Order,” asked the judge.
“We’ll start with a Protection Order, and hopefully he’ll see sense,” said the father.
“I’ll grant you that, and I’ll direct the Guards to serve this on him,” said Judge Zaidan.
“OK. What this means is, that he’s allowed to stay in the house, but he’s not allowed to ‘F’ and blind you.
“You no longer have a duty of care because he’s over 18, you can call the Guards and report him as trespassing.
“If what you tell me is true, I’ll be surprised if he turns up in court [for the full hearing].
“I’ll bring you back in two week’s time, because I’m concerned for your partner,” he concluded, before setting the date for the hearing on 25 November.
