Numerous alleged domestic violence cases struck out in Kildare court

A number of in-camera (in private) domestic violence cases were stuck out at Naas District Court on Thursday, November 23 last.

For the majority of these cases, either the alleged injured party did not turn up to the court, or the prosecuting garda did not turn up, and in at least two cases, none of the parties turned up.

In one particular case, a garda told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the female complainant was ignoring phone calls from gardaí.

A separate garda added that she called down to their home, but the alleged injured party did not answer their door to gardaí.

The absences were criticised by Judge Desmond Zaidan.

For another case, the judge criticised the absence of both parties, and in yet another case, he criticised the absence of the prosecuting garda.

Commenting on the latter case, he said: "The garda has shown disrespect to their colleagues by not showing up."

Lastly, in another case which featured cross-allegations by a man and a woman, and required four separate gardaí as witnesses, the alleged injured party was not present in court.

The woman's solicitor told the judge that he had been trying to get in touch with her, while one garda added that they believe the woman has since moved house.

The judge struck out the case against the man, and adjourned the case against the woman to a special sitting date in 2024 for hearing.