‘Terrified’ mother get protection order against gambler son, Kildare court hears
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A VULNERABLE mother going through cancer treatment was granted a protection order against her gambling-addicted son after the court heard he allegedly “told me to kill myself in the supermarket, in front of people”.
The middle aged woman attended a closed-doors session of Naas District Court recently accompanied by a staff member of Teach Tearmainn, Kildare’s women’s refuge, in a visibly stressed condition.
“You have concerns?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan gently.
“He is bi-polar, and he has a lot of gambling problems,” she said, her voice breaking.
Where is he gambling?” asked the judge.
“Mostly online, but he defrauded a friend out of €10,000,” she revealed.
“He moved this friend in from (named country) who is autistic and vulnerable.
“(Named son) moved him in a took all his money, said he was joining a band” “What does he gamble on?” asked the judge again.
“Roulette, horses, but mainly online … but his behaviour is very erratic, it’s horrible, he shouts at me all the time.
“He told me to kill myself in the supermarket, in front of people.
“He’s destroying my house … there’s two with addictions wrecking my home.
“I have to lock my room at night, because he will barge in for a cigarette.” She explained her other children will not stay or visit the house if this son is there.
“My daughter says the only way I can mind my grandchild is if I get a protection order.” The woman told how she is long separated from the son’s father.
“[Named son] has invited him to come back into our lives … I had to get a protection order against him seven years ago,” she said.
After hearing about a further tragic incident, the judge said: “In your (age) you’ve been to hell and back.” “Have you any supports beyond Teach Tearmainn?” he asked.
“One friend, a sponsor,” she said.
She told the judge that she was taking five chemo tablets each day, and that her cancer was “treatable but not curable”.
“I’m terrified of my son,” she cried.
“I’m sorry you have to go through all this,” said the judge.
“You’re a very fair judge, for the conditions you laid out last time (on ex-husband),” she remembered.
“You’re coming out the other end. I will give you a protection order, don’t worry about that … I’m satisfied you have achieved the threshold …. I’ll get the gardaí to serve this,” said the judge.
He then set a date in Athy on 14 July for a full hearing, adding: “I will most likely make this order permanent”.
“If you don’t want him to be there, he will be a trespasser,” he added.
He then remarked about the solicitor’s legal aid protests, saying: “we should have ‘The Flying Pickets’ (a capella group from the early 80’s) playing out there” – a reference that the woman understood.
“It’s good to see you smile,” concluded the judge.
