Wife claims husband throws out her food
Athy Courthouse
“SO no peace has broken out?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan in a closed session of family law hearings, when an estranged husband and wife who had each taken out protection orders against the other were called.
“No judge. Cross allegations between a husband and wife,” explained Sergeant Dave Hanrahan at a sitting of Athy District Court.
The woman had alleged that her husband had grabbed her by the neck during a disagreement at the family home in October last year, while he alleged she had grabbed his phone from his hand during the same argument.
Speaking for the husband, solicitor Tim Kennelly alleged that the wife had installed CCTV cameras in the home since the allegation and he demanded that they be removed.
“They still live in the same house? That’s very sad,” said Judge Zaidan.
“My client is the one in fear,” said the woman’s solicitor Dave Powderly.
The judge enquired: “She alleges she needs the camera for her own safety?”
The woman said: “Only in the kitchen. He’s always throwing out my food.”
Judge Zaidan said: “No cameras. That’s what the guards are for, you have a protection order.”
Mr Powderly said: “The allegations are that he is interfering with her food.”
Judge Zaidan told the woman: “I’ve no reason not to believe you need the camera for your own safety, but the other side doesn’t want it. We’ll only find out at a full hearing.”
The woman asked: “What happens if he throws out my food again?”
The judge replied: “Hopefully, that won’t happen, but if it does you must report it to the guards.”
“If he does, how do I prove it?” she asked to no reply, as the judge adjourned the dispute until 5 February 2026 for a full hearing.
Parties cannot be identified in family law hearings.
