Kildare judge imposes barring order on man accused of beating his ex-partner ‘to a pulp’

A Naas District Court judge imposed a three-year barring order on a man whose ex-partner was allegedly beaten 'to a pulp.'

Judge Desmond Zaidan made the decision while presiding over the case on Thursday, April 4 last.

The case was heard in-camera (in private).

The woman involved in the case attended the court on the date in question in order to appy for a full barring order against her partner.

Judge Zaidan remarked that the last time he saw the woman, her face was 'swollen' from the injuries allegedly inflicted by her ex-partner.

It was heard that a medical report was provided to the gardaí in relation to the woman's injuries.

When the judge said that he recalled that the woman 'had been beaten to a pulp', she became emotional in the stand.

Defending solicitor Seamus Boyle told Judge Zaidan that his client was willing to abide by the barring order.

The judge decided to impose the barring order, which will take effect for the next three years.

Commenting on the case, Judge Zaidan said: "In the 19 years I've been on the bench, I've probably granted five barring orders in total.

"However, this is a very serious case (of alleged domestic violence)."

Speaking directly to the woman, the judge said: "You are not on your own."

He said that he recently encountered a separate alleged domestic violence case in which the alleged injured party admitted that she initially relented from telling the gardaí about her alleged situation because she was embarrased to seek help.

"Physically, she was 100 times worse than you (physically) on the last occasion," he told the woman: "it was a very shocking case; very hard to preside over, as a human being."

The judge added that the woman involved in that case is now in touch with a domestic violence prevention service. 

Referring back to the case at hand, Judge Zaidan said that he would give liberty for the alleged injured party to seek variations to the barring order.

He further praised her for coming forward to the court: "You did the right thing; you didn't do anything wrong."

The judge also recommended for her to seek counselling.

Judge Zaidan adjourned the case involving the male defendant and the woman to a later date.

If you have been affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Women's Aid at 1800 341 900 or emailing [email protected], or Men's Aid by ringing 01 554 3811 or emailing [email protected].

Additionally, you can find resources to help you by emailing Samaritans Ireland at [email protected], or by ringing 116 123.