Woman 'very scared' of ex-partner gets barring order hours before previous one expires

A young woman, expressing extreme fear of her ex-partner, secured an interim barring order against him on Friday, mere hours before a previous two-year order was set to expire. She informed the emergency domestic violence court at Dolphin House, Dublin, that her ex-partner had violated the existing order four times. The most recent breach occurred last month when he entered her home while she was in the backyard, assaulting her, shouting, and damaging property.

The woman described her ex-partner as seeming "on something" and stated she was "very scared." He is currently on bail for the alleged breach and had reportedly warned he would return to their jointly tenanted council house as soon as the existing order expired at midnight. She also expressed concern that his behavior could jeopardize her tenancy.

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She was 'very scared', he seemed to be 'on something'.

Judge Gerard Furlong acknowledged that the new evidence warranted an interim barring order and scheduled the case for a full hearing next month, where both parties will have the opportunity to present their arguments. The woman's application was one of several heard ex parte (without the other party present) on Friday.

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He warned he would return to the council house, of which both hold a joint tenancy, as soon as the existing order expired at midnight.

In another case, a woman became distressed after her request for an interim barring order was refused. She had previously obtained an interim order but opted for a safety order later. On Friday, she sought a second interim barring order, stating her partner had violated the safety order the previous day by entering her home without permission, using her belongings, and eating her food. When she recorded him, he allegedly used abusive language and assaulted her.

Despite her pleas that her "life is in danger," the judge maintained that the threshold for an emergency interim barring order was not met and suggested her existing safety order covered the situation. He advised her to renew her application in September and to report any further issues to the Gardaí (Irish police).

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The new evidence provided by the woman entitled her to an interim barring order.

Separately, a young man obtained a protection order against his mother, alleging she assaulted him while intoxicated. He recounted how his seven-year-old sister came to him crying, reporting their mother was screaming at her. He found his mother drunk downstairs and confiscated an alcohol bottle, leading her to grab his hand and scratch it severely. His mother has a significant alcohol problem and a history of aggression, despite previously receiving a protection order and promising to change. Tusla, the child and family agency, is involved.

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Please, please, my life is in danger.