A father continues to live alone in a spacious five bedroomed family home while his ex-wife and children live in vermin infested rental accommodation, a court has heard.

At the Family Law Court, Judge Alec Gabbett made his comment when rejecting the man’s application that his maintenance of €300 per week for his two children be reduced.

Judge Gabbett told the man that he has a report “that tells me that you are living in a spacious five bedroomed house and your ex-wife is living in a vermin invested house with yere two children”.

Judge Gabbett said: “This is all about money. I know this is all about money.”

Commenting on the finances of the couple, Judge Gabbett said: “These are well shod people – they are not exactly short.

Judge Gabbett said that he could reduce the maintenance if the man moved out of the family home to allow his ex-wife and children move back in.

Judge Gabbett told the man: “It is a choice – you either give her the house or give her maintenance, you have to put a roof over her head. It is one or the other.”

Judge Gabbett said that the maintenance is at that level “because mother has moved out and has to provide suitable accommodation for the children”.

The man told Judge Gabbett that his ex-wife decided to move out of the family home and chose the accommodation she is in today.

He said: “If the house is not in good condition, she knew that moving in.”

The man said that the reason the house was picked is that his ex wife likes the idea of sitting down having her coffee in the morning and she can look out at the view.

The man said that the way his ex-wife thinks is “crazy” and “irrational”.

Judge Gabbett asked the man “was there ever a discussion about you moving out and she staying?”.

In response the man said: “Yes. I was asked. I was told on numerous occasions to just leave.”

He said: “I was told on another occasion ‘by the time I am finished with you, you will be homeless’ on another occasion she told me ‘you will be lucky to get one hour supervised access with our children’.

He said: “I was asked to go and I didn’t go.”

The man said that last year, he agreed to pay his wife €50,000 for her share of the equity of the family home.

This was based on him paying €100,000 cash from his own funds for the house, continuing to pay the outstanding €170,000 mortgage by himself after his wife had put a value of €370,000 on the home.

The man said that the deal fell through as his ex-wife didn’t proceed.

On the €300 maintenance, Judge Gabbett told the man: “This is about feeding your children and putting a roof over their heads.

In réponse, the man said: “I have no problem doing that but the figures I am paying at the moment are excessive.

The man said that he assumes his ex-wife – represented by solicitor, Oonagh Moylan – is paying the same towards their children and along with children’s allowance, that is €700 a week for two children.

He said: “That is crazy. That is nearly €3,000 a month to mind two kids.

The man – represented by solicitor, Shiofra Hassett in the case – said that his ex-wife and their two children are going on a Winter break overseas but he can’t afford to.

Judge Gabbett said: “There is a reality to this – when people break up it costs money. I am at pains to tell people it is an expensive process and it’s never going go be free.

Judge Gabbett said that from reading the man’s financial statements he can afford to pay himself more than he does.

Judge Gabbett said that there would be no variation to the maintenance “and I leave it as it is”.

Related News

roadworks o'connell square ennis 07-03-24 3
Autumn 'the earliest' date for restoring of normal traffic flow on High Street in Ennis
ashfield house 2
Revised Ennis 2040 approach to take strong focus on housing
ennis market 19-12-23 4
TY project to be explored for students to grow & sell vegetables in Ennis Market
cliffs of moher walk trail 5
Annual benefit fund can reopen Cliff Walk says Cooney while McNamara accuses Council of attempting to clobber landowners

Advertisement

Latest News
ennis market 19-12-23 4
TY project to be explored for students to grow & sell vegetables in Ennis Market
michael healy 1-2
'Don’t… Visit Miltown Malbay' - tourism video takes a new tack
clare v galway ladies football 30-03-25 ellie hanrahan 1
'We probably got relegated last November when players didn't give the commitment' - Clare ladies boss Shine
cliffs of moher walk trail 5
Annual benefit fund can reopen Cliff Walk says Cooney while McNamara accuses Council of attempting to clobber landowners
claire minogue isabella mcinerney 1
Mixed luck for Clare handballers
Premium
clare v galway ladies football 30-03-25 ellie hanrahan 1
'We probably got relegated last November when players didn't give the commitment' - Clare ladies boss Shine
cliffs of moher walk trail 5
Annual benefit fund can reopen Cliff Walk says Cooney while McNamara accuses Council of attempting to clobber landowners
burren cliffs explorer 1
Pilot shuttle bus for Burren & Cliffs of Moher 'has to remain a positive news story for North Clare'
clare v tipperary minor 05-04-25 john barry 2
Barry’s Tea-rific as Clare snatch Premier win in minor opener
abbey st car park 10-02-25 2
'Ye are losing the argument' & 'complete bunkum' - Ennis councillors clash on parking again

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement