Woman allegedly attacked by husband in front of their children tells court 'I love him to bits'

Gordon Deegan

A Co Clare woman subjected to an alleged “savage and unprovoked attack” by her husband in front of their two young children at the family home has told a court, “I love him to bits”.

At Ennis District Court, the woman in the witness box described her 39-year-old husband as “a family man” and, referring to their children, commented, “Daddy loves them so much”.

In response to gardaí objecting to bail for the man, who is charged with assault causing harm of his wife, the woman said that she wants "to have him home”.

After the woman made her comments from the witness box during a contested bail hearing, Judge Alec Gabbett commented: “The trial in this case is likely to happen as rabbits are going to fall from the sky.”

Judge Gabbett said that he has already witnessed a movement towards withdrawal after hearing the woman's comments.

Sgt Frank O'Grady told Judge Gabbett: “This case won't be withdrawn - a file will be prepared for the DPP."

In response to the woman’s comments, Judge Gabbett said: “This is manipulation of the court as well as far as I am concerned.”

The woman said that was not under any pressure to make her comments in support of her husband from the witness box.

Objecting to bail for the Ennis man, Garda Niall Moran told the court this was allegedly “a savage and unprovoked attack by the accused on his wife in front of their children” on January 22nd at the family home in Ennis.

Garda Moran said that the woman alleged that her husband “punched her to the face a number of times, knocked her to the ground and continued to assault her while on the ground".

He said that the alleged injured party said that he also kicked her to the face and there were two children present at the time.

Garda Moran said that the woman alleged that her husband “was in bad form, started picking on her and name-calling”.

As a result of the alleged assault, the woman suffered a laceration to her hand and her face and eyes were red and swollen, Garda Moran said.

He also said that she was bleeding from her hand and bleeding from her hip.

Garda Moran expressed a concern that if the accused is granted bail he will put pressures on the alleged injured party to withdraw her complaint.

Garda Moran stated that gardaí observed the injuries sustained by woman when she arrived at the Garda station 20 minutes after the assault.

Under cross examination from solicitor, Tara Godfrey for the accused, Garda Moran said that at Garda interview, the accused provided an alternative version of what occurred.

The alleged injured party said that it is her intention to obtain a Protection Order against her husband.

Judge Gabbett said that he would grant bail but order that the man not return home and reside at a different address in order to address the interfere with witnesses concern.

Judge Gabbett remanded the man on bail to appear before Ennis District Court on Wednesday. He commented: “I may revoke bail at that stage.” The parties cannot be named as it is a domestic violence assault case before the criminal court.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women’s Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Men’s Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.