'Terrified' woman gets interim order after flatmate’s alleged sexual harassment
Tom Tuite
A judge has granted an interim restraining order against a man after his terrified flatmate alleged he sexually harassed, touched her, and exposed himself.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had commenced proceedings at Dublin District Court, opening her application for a civil restraining order (CRO). She claimed he told her that "women normally know their position, and I don't know my position".
Her ex parte (one-sided) application saw her testify before Judge Anthony Halpin, expressing that she was genuinely fearful of her new flatmate, who had moved in earlier this year after he relocated to Ireland for work.
Judge Halpin, having heard her outline her case, granted the temporary version of the order to be served by gardaí, compelling the tenant to move out and not to put her in fear, pending a full hearing of the case.
He will be able to mount a defence and respond to the claims when the case resumes in early October.
The woman stated that the accused, in his twenties, came from a North African country for a new job and was vetted by her and the property owner before being allowed to rent a room in the property.
However, she alleged he became hostile and caused damage in the flat when drunk or taking drugs, leaving her terrified. She said he constantly lied about it and alleged he had started “imposing himself on me” and told her that “there are expectations from women” and he was the “man of the house”.
The woman described his behaviour as becoming progressively sexual, first exposing himself to her, before apologising.
However, two days later, when she showed him how to use the heating system, “he came behind me and pressed his penis against my bum”. "She told him to back off, stepped away, and he apologised, but the court heard he allegedly repeated the action a short time later.
At other times, he put his arms around her or began playing with her hair, and he had told her he would not move out until the end of the year.
He allegedly sent her WhatsApp messages telling her he wished to be intimate and was trying to get her to fall in love with him.
The judge will decide if there are grounds to grant a permanent order, which can last for up to five years.
Breaching a CRO can result in the subject of the order being brought to court, jailed for up to a year, and a maximum fine of €4,000.
The restraining orders were introduced in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 as a remedy for people seeking protection.
The District Court may issue an order to prevent the respondent from violence or threats, stalking, harassing or approaching the applicant's home, work, or school.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
