Court Grants Elderly Father Safety Order Against Son
Fears of ‘bad things’ prompt legal protection
An elderly father, visibly distressed, has successfully obtained a three-year safety order against his son, citing fears for his family’s well-being. The son, in his twenties, had allegedly engaged in drug use, property damage, and theft.
Family ‘Afraid of Him’
During proceedings at Dublin District Family Court, the father testified that he and his family are deeply afraid of his son, despite their love for him. He described a pattern of increasingly troubling behaviour, stating, He doesn’t respect me.
The father detailed incidents including the theft of his bank card, drug use, damage to the family home’s door, and vandalism of his car. He also claimed his son was physically hurting his siblings, wife, and himself. We are at his mercy. We are afraid of him, that maybe someday he will do bad things to us. I don’t want that to happen,
he told Judge **William Aylmer**, becoming emotional on the stand.
Son’s Troubled History
The father recounted that his son’s disruptive behaviour began after he left school early during the Leaving Cert exams amid the Covid-19 pandemic, when remote learning was implemented. Since then, the son allegedly started causing trouble, using drugs, and experiencing frequent anger.
The son was recently arrested following a domestic disturbance where he reportedly breached an existing safety order previously issued to his mother. Last month, the father claimed his son stole nearly €200 from his bank card, followed by another €150 on the day of his arrest. Last night, he was banging the door until 3am, we had no sleep because of him,
the father stated, adding, All I want for him is to be good.
Court’s Decision and Son’s Response
The son confirmed his arrest for breaching his mother’s safety order, a charge that carries a potential year-long sentence if convicted. When asked about prior imprisonment, he stated he had been incarcerated but could not recall the reasons.
He informed the judge that he is attempting to achieve financial stability through social media ventures. He acknowledged the presence of trouble in the house and outside the house.
Judge **William Aylmer** granted the three-year safety order, prohibiting the son from threatening or committing violence against his father. Clearly, you have been causing him to be in fear of you. That’s unacceptable,
the judge told the son.
The judge clarified that the safety order does not prevent the son from being at the family home, leaving that decision to the father’s discretion as he is an adult. This ruling comes as studies show that family conflict can have significant long-term psychological impacts on all involved, with some research indicating that children exposed to high levels of domestic conflict are more likely to experience anxiety and depression later in life (Source: National Library of Medicine, 2021).