Dublin domestic violence court: man swore to leave home after cooking oil attack

A man accused of choking his wife and attempting to set her on fire has sworn to stay away from the family home for three years. Several other cases were heard at Dolphin House.

Dublin domestic violence court hears multiple cases of abuse at Dolphin House

A man accused of choking his wife, pouring cooking oil over her and attempting to set her alight has given a sworn undertaking to stay away from the family home for three years, the Irish Times reports.

The man appeared before the emergency domestic violence court at Dolphin House, Dublin, on Friday, where his wife's application for a three-year barring order was before the court.

Cooking oil attack and interim order

The woman had obtained an interim barring order last month on an ex parte basis — with only one side represented — following an incident in which she alleged her husband choked and struck her before pouring cooking oil over her body and attempting to set her on fire. She described being "black and blue" as a result.

The couple had been in a relationship for many years before marrying approximately ten years ago. The court was told his behaviour had become increasingly aggressive over the past three to four years, including shouting at her, following her into her bedroom and, despite having his own room, waiting until she fell asleep and entering her room without invitation.

On Friday, lawyers for both parties informed Judge Gerard Furlong that an agreement had been reached. Rather than receiving a formal barring order, the man undertook to stay away from the family home for three years unless expressly invited back in writing, via text message, by his wife. He further undertook to remove his name from the local authority tenancy associated with the property. Judge Furlong accepted both undertakings in lieu of court orders.

Man sleeping in car after interim barring order

In a separate case, a man told the court he has been sleeping in his car since his wife obtained an ex parte interim barring order against him last month, and warned he would be homeless if a full order were granted.

The matter came before the court for a full hearing of the woman's application for a three-year barring order, with both parties present. The man initially indicated he did not want "to fight it any more" or "to put her through it", adding that he had mental health issues and that his wife serves as his carer. "I'd like to go home," he said.

Judge Furlong noted the case had previously been adjourned to allow the man to obtain legal advice, and indicated that if he did not contest the application, the order would be granted. When the man said he had been unable to secure a solicitor, Furlong expressed sympathy but said homelessness was "usually the case" for those in his position given current housing circumstances.

After the judge asked whether the woman would accept a lesser order, her counsel indicated she was prepared to accept a two-year barring order. Following further exchanges, the man said he wished the matter to proceed to a full hearing. The judge adjourned the case to late September, granting the man a final opportunity to obtain legal representation.

Gun threat during video call

In another case heard on Friday, a woman told the court that when she answered a video call from her former partner, "He was holding a gun and threatening to kill me."

"I got an awful fright because he has a key to my house," she said. She contacted gardaí, who obtained a warrant to search the man's home, but no gun was found during the raid. She lives in the property with their young children and said he has no connection to the house. Judge Furlong granted a protection order, stating he was doing so "without hesitation".

Mother seeks protection from violent adult son

A woman who entered the courtroom using a walking aid was granted a protection order against her adult son, who is in his 40s. She told the court he is violent towards both her and her partner, and that during a recent incident he spat at her and "went to break my fingers". She also said that while she was being taken to hospital following a heart attack, her son assaulted her partner.

"I cannot take any more fights," she said, adding: "I am a maid, not his mother." She sought the order "to have something there if he lost it again."

Second mother at breaking point over son's addiction

A further protection order was granted to another mother against her adult son, aged in his 30s, who she said is addicted to cocaine and alcohol and verbally abuses her almost daily.

"I might get a few days reprieve but it doesn't last long. I am at breaking point," she told the court. "I don't want to put him on the street but I want something in place that, if I put him out, he will stay out."

She said gardaí have been called several times; each time her son is removed, he returns promising better behaviour — "until the next time".

Visibly upset, she added: "It is very hard to see him like that when I know he is worth so much more. I've offered him help numerous times but he pushes me away." Judge Furlong expressed sympathy and granted the protection order.

Source: Irish Times