Son obtains two-year restriction from harassing mother after making death threats
In a recent development, Irish courts have granted barring orders to protect victims of elder abuse in long-term domestic violence cases.
One such case involves a distressed woman who lives in homeless emergency accommodation. She has secured a two-year barring order against her adult son, who has a history of abusive behaviour towards her, including threats, spitting, and even threatening to kill. The son, in his early 20s, is reportedly addicted to alcohol and drugs, including cocaine, and causes disruption in the home when he has no cigarettes or the internet goes down.
The son's mother, who removed her son's name from the tenancy of her home, stated that his father used to abuse her throughout her life. The son, who sits up all night talking to himself, refuses to take any responsibility for his actions and needs to "sort himself out."
In a separate case, a woman has secured a three-year barring order against her adult son for allegedly headbutting her. The son has shown no response when asked to comment in court.
Elder abuse, which can take multiple forms including physical, psychological, emotional, financial abuse or neglect, is often underreported and may coexist with other vulnerabilities, such as cognitive impairment or social isolation. Affected elderly individuals may experience harm or distress, and abuse can include threats, violence, and coercive control.
To address such cases, victims of domestic abuse can seek legal remedies like barring orders to prevent further contact or violence from the adult child causing harm. Elder abuse should be reported confidentially to appropriate authorities including the HSE and Gardaí. Support is available through helplines (e.g., 1800-844-104) and legal services specializing in elder and domestic abuse.
Effective safeguarding requires coordination between health and social care services, legal advisors, and adult protection teams. The HSE and Tusla provide frameworks for protecting vulnerable adults and children in related safeguarding concerns. Psychological support and safeguarding services for both the elderly parent and family members are vital to address trauma and prevent further abuse.
In another heart-wrenching incident, the distressed woman's son has stolen money she was saving for a younger son's First Holy Communion, and has threatened to kill any girl who comes to the house. The woman, who is working but is scared to return to the accommodation due to lack of peace, lowered her head and sobbed when the judge granted the interim barring order against her partner due to constant hitting and threats.
Judge O'Connell has also granted a two-year barring order to an unnamed man, stating he wants to give the man a chance to get assessed and "come to terms with his demons."
Awareness of the complex nature of abuse and its impact is essential for effective intervention. It is crucial to remember that elder abuse is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and action.
[1] National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. (2020). Elder Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.tusla.ie/services/elder-abuse/ [2] Health Service Executive. (2019). Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults: Policy and Procedures Manual. Retrieved from https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/olderpeople/safeguarding-vulnerable-adults-policy-and-procedures-manual.pdf [3] Tusla. (2017). National Guidance on Child Protection and Welfare. Retrieved from https://www.tusla.ie/sites/default/files/2018-06/Tusla_National_Guidance_on_Child_Protection_and_Welfare_2017.pdf [4] Courts Service. (2020). Barring Orders. Retrieved from https://www.courts.ie/initiatives/barring-orders/
- The growing instances of elder abuse, such as the case presented here, highlight the need for enhancing health-and-wellness and mental-health resources focused on domestic violence, particularly in family-dynamics and relationships.
- In today's general-news, reports circulate about the Irish courts granting barring orders to protect victims from crime-and-justice such as elder abuse, including physical and psychological violence, as well as threats.
- The complexity of elder abuse necessitates the cooperation of various services, including lifestyle changes, psychology support, and safeguarding services, as outlined by the frameworks provided by the HSE, Tusla, and legal services specializing in elder and domestic abuse.
- The aftermath of elder abuse cases can lead to profound trauma within the family; support for the parent, children, and other family members, as well as awareness campaigns for the impact of such abuses, are crucial for fostering a positive lifestyle and overall health-and-wellness.
