Ennis judge urges ‘golden’ couple to enter mediation

A judge has told a couple due to celebrate their 50th golden wedding anniversary later this year that if they were to go against each other in court, it may contaminate the next stage of their life.

At the Family Law Court in Ennis, Judge Patrick Durcan said that a Clare woman had recounted how her husband of 49 years slapped her after breaking plates and verbally abused her in the kitchen of their home.

Judge Durcan told the husband: “Your wife contacted the gardaí and they spoke to you and they asked you to give an undertaking that you would live in peace and you refused that. On that basis, gardaí advised your wife to seek a protection order.”