Norah Casey takes part in "Until Death" TV documentary

Business woman Norah Casey, Ambassador for Leitrim GAA 50 Mile Challenge and county resident, has taken part in Virgin Media’s ‘Until Death’ TV documentary, which finishes tonight, December 19.

Norah appeared in the second episode of the series, which aired on Virgin Media on Monday, December 12. The three-part documentary wants to bring public awareness to domestic violence by letting victims or the family of victims tell their stories. The TV programme also marks the 30th anniversary of the Women’s Aid Helpline. Half of all murders in Leitrim 2021 were a result of domestic violence.

In the episode, Norah explains how she met her previous husband and details some of the abuse she was subjected to. Norah says after the first incident, she wondered “What did I say to make him do that to me?” She said when he apologised, she forgave him and trusted it would never happen again. Norah was married for nine years, she noted that it wasn’t just the physical abuse, but he also controlled what she wore, and booked her hairdresser appointments. At the time she said she “interpreted it as love” but now knows it was coercive control.

At the height of the violence, Norah suffered broken ribs, and a broken bone in her face and her ex-husband threatened her with a knife. The final straw for Norah was when he slapped her across her face in front of her parents. Her mother told her “you better leave him or you will have two brothers serving life in prison if you don’t.” Norah said when she told him she was leaving him, he laughed at her and went back to sleep.

Norah Casey said she left with “no money and nowhere to go.” She said it was “the most important day of my life” and it was a real “act of courage.” Norah said her business success later in life was a result of the decision she took to leave her abuser. She went on to remarry Richard Hannaford who passed away in 2011. They had one son together.

Norah Casey works closely with domestic abuse charities, including Women’s Aid.

The special documentary is split into three episodes and can be watched on the VirginMedia player.