‘EVIL DAD STRIPS & FLOGS HIS KIDS TWICE A WEEK’ Judge calls in gardai after claims dad is beating children with belt

A JUDGE has called in gardai after hearing a father strips his three children – one girl as young as three – and flogs them twice weekly with a belt as they lie on the floor.

Judge Patrick Durcan made the intervention to contact officers to mount a criminal investigation after hearing the children’s mother make the allegation at a behind-closed-door family law court hearing in Ennis.

The woman gave evidence of the beatings by her husband on their children aged seven, six and three when seeking a Protection Order against him. In the application the mother stated: “In the past, my husband was more physically abusive and aggressive towards me but he now directs most of his abuse towards the children.

“My husband flogs the children twice weekly by removing their clothing, making them lay on the floor and beating them with his belt.” The woman also claimed her husband had locked her and her children out of the house after an argument over money.

She said she did go to a local Garda station but it was closed at the time.

After the woman said she would like police involved, Judge Durcan provided gardai with her statement and in response a female detective from the unit which specialises in domestic violence was tasked to come to court.

The Child and Family Agency were also informed of the allegations.

Granting the order, Judge Durcan told the woman: “I hope things improve for you. You are now under the court’s protection.”

It grants the woman temporary protection pending an application for a Safety Order, which enables the other party to either consent or oppose it which would involve both sides giving evidence in a contested court hearing.