Woman fled into Lidl store in Kildare to escape her partner, court told
Judge tells Kildare court he fears for the woman's safety when the man is released
A woman "retreated" into the Lidl store in Kilcock after her partner became agitated and pushed her.
The man, who’s in custody, appeared before Naas District Court.
He was prosecuted for two breaches of a protection order and assault, on May 30, 2025.Garda Declan Byrne said there was a meeting at a neutral venue, the supermarket, to discuss their children.
He said the woman had an interim protection order and after the incident she entered the store because “she thought it was safe.”
The garda added that during the incident the defendant took shoes from the car and members of the public intervened.
Later the man forced his way into the house and was roaring and shouting before he was arrested by Gda Byrne.
The garda said the woman was making efforts to keep her partner involved with the children and she is anxious he stays involved in their lives.
The court heard the man is in custody serving sentences for previous breaches and is due to be released in December.
It also heard he has previous convictions for assault, domestic order breaches and a road traffic incident.
Solicitor David Powderly said the man is serving a 17 month term and “when he’s sober he’s a good family man.”
The woman, he added, had brought the children to see him in prison on a number of occasions and “she remains loyal to his relationship with his children.”
He added: “Alcohol is his issue. I believe he has learned his lesson.”
Judge Desmond Zaidan described the man’s behaviour as cowardly and the quality of the woman was demonstrated by her desire to keep him involved as a parent. “She still wants him to be a father to his children irrespective of what she has been through. It’s really appalling”
He described the man’s conduct as “horrendous” (and) extremely cowardly”, noting his convictions mostly relate to “the mother of his children.”
The judge said anyone on court could see personified goodness and he personified badness.
He imposed a custody term totalling 15 months, adding “I have concerns for the safety of the woman when this man is released.”