Women `fail to pursue complaints of abuse'

Women withdrawing their complaints in domestic abuse cases are the reason for the low rate of conviction for such crimes, a judge…

Women withdrawing their complaints in domestic abuse cases are the reason for the low rate of conviction for such crimes, a judge said yesterday.

Judge Gerard Haughton said it was a "constant experience" for the courts in these types of cases. "Gardai put in time preparing the cases, arranging witnesses and fixing a date for hearing only for the woman to withdraw her complaint when the case comes to court."

He was speaking in Dublin District Court where a Finglas man was accused of breaching a barring order. He struck out the charge when the defendant's wife said she did not wish to proceed.