Kildare court: Offence ‘was on the cusp of threshold’
JUDGE'S COMMENTS
A substitute judge presiding over an in-camera (in private) court sitting said that he would 'reluctantly' grant a temporary protection order for a man.
Judge Alec Gabbett made the comments during the case, which was heard at Naas District Court on Thursday, July 27 last.
The man came to the court seeking a protection order against his ex-wife.
He explained that they had divorced two months ago, and although their home is up for sale, they are still living together until the house is sold.
The man added that one day, when he went back to pick up some of his belongings, but he became embroiled in an argument with her after she threw some belongings in the bin.
This prompted him to push some flowers belonging to her. She then rang her father, and the man claimed that he told him over the phone: "I will come down and blow your f**king head off with my shotgun."
The man told the judge that while he doesn’t think his ex-wife’s father would go to such lengths, he was still in fear of her.
After consideration, the judge said that his case 'was on the cusp of the threshold' for a temporary protection order, and said he would 'reluctantly' grant it.
However, the judge warned him: "If you both continue to live at the house, it could put you both at risk."
In response, the man said that he would leave the house soon.