'My arms are black and blue', woman says as ex-husband remanded in custody for breaching domestic violence order

Woman told court defendant called to the house at 9am and one of her children asked her to leave him in because the defendant was causing an embarrassing disturbance in the neighbourhood by banging on the door

The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday morning, October 20. Picture: Larry Cummins

A woman complaining her ex-husband had breached a domestic violence order turned up her sleeves in the witness box at Cork District Court and declared: “My arms are black and blue and I don’t want him around me.” 

The incident occurred as her ex-husband applied to be released on bail, saying he would live away from the family home and not have any contact with her.

Garda John Paul O’Sullivan opposed the application for bail and said it was the concern of gardaí the defendant would pressurise her to withdraw her complaint.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, cross-examined the garda witness and put it to him the 46-year-old man came away voluntarily with the gardaí when they called to the house, and there was no sign of him being under the influence of drink at the time.

The complainant got into the witness box and told Sergeant Gearóid Davis her children locked themselves into their room when their father came home with drink taken. She said at one stage the defendant wanted to get a hammer from the shed.

She said he called to the house at 9am and one of her children asked her to leave him in because the defendant was causing an embarrassing disturbance in the neighbourhood by banging on the door.

“I opened the door. He pushed me out of the way of the door. My arms are black and blue and I don’t want him around me,” the complainant said.

The defendant also gave evidence saying: “All I wanted was my papers, to go to social welfare. I had a drink problem — I know where she is coming from, I know I’ve hurt her feelings but I don’t mean to be doing this. I won’t be around the house anymore. That will be the end of it.” 

Judge David Waters said the alleged breach of the domestic violence order occurred on Tuesday morning, October 20, but there was reference also to an alleged incident of gardaí calling to the house last Thursday. 

“I have no doubt the guards told him to go away and stay away from the house that time and it is now alleged he is back at the house. I am refusing bail.” 

The 46-year-old was remanded in custody until October 27.