Mother’s fears on protective custody system

A WOMAN whose daughter was placed in protective custody after identifying a botched gangland hit has criticised the lack of support for those in danger.

Speaking on Liveline yesterday “Vickie,” a middle-aged mother from Ballymun in Dublin, said her daughter has been in protective custody “24 hours a day” since witnessing the attempted murder.

However, while praising the officers for their work, Vickie said her daughter was effectively living in limbo simply because she was willing to testify.

“She witnessed a man with a gun and the scarf fell off his face and she witnessed his face,” she explained. “What it means for us is absolute devastation. She has no life anymore. She has a child she has to bring to the school at a different time, she’s had to wear a wig, she can’t get a Fás course in Ballymun because she has armed gardaí with her all the time.

“She gets her unemployment benefit and nothing else. You have to ask what’s going on in that child’s mind. It’s been three years now. There is no end in sight.”

The mother was speaking out in an attempt to increase financial aid for those in protective custody and to help establish a support group for those facing similar situations.