'Took his infant child to house where a Pit Bull dog was running around' - Kildare court claim

A man took a child who was only months old to a house where a pit bull dog was running around, it was alleged.

His wife also claimed at a family law hearing in Naas District Court that he came home drunk after she had been granted a protection order at a previous hearing.

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She said the man, who turned up in court after the hearing had ended, had pushed and shoved her around the house.

She also alleged that when he took the child to a house where the dog was she couldn’t find the child and he was drinking at the time.

The court also heard that he had been before the court the day before on an allegation of breaching an order.

Referring to a request for a barring order, the judge asked if there was any point in this when the gardaí had not enforced a protection order.

A social worker, who accompanied the woman, told the court that the woman was very distressed when he contacted her and it took five hours for a response to a 999 call because a significant road accident had taken place elsewhere in the area.

The social worker also said that the man is struggling with alcohol but is very good when he is not drinking.

“He’s in recovery but he is struggling," the social worker said.

“This is high risk stuff,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan , referring to the man’s behaviour.

He also said that the gardaí, Courts Service and social workers are all under-resourced.

The judge adjourned the case to March 26. He said the man is to stay out of the house, remain alcohol free and comply with all court orders.