Abusive parnter .legal to film outside house?

chiefwiggum

Hi everyone just looking for some advice for a friend who is recently divorced from her ex husband. He is extremely manipulative, controlling and quite nasty.

They share custody of kids( who are terrified of him)and the family home has recently been sold and split between them.

They would be in contact through text mostly and his texts are mannered as he knows these could be used against him. If he doesn't get his own way he turns up at her new address and is quite threatening and abusive as he knows it's her word against his.

Question is would she be allowed record him on her mobile everytime he arrives at the house? The thought being that he won't be his usual self for fear of having video evidence of his behaviour in her hands.

Clareman

Whatever about the legal part of it, if he clearly knows the boundaries why not just put up a couple of CCTV cameras, they don't have to be working just if he thinks he's being recorded it might change his tune without having to have the hassle of taking the phone out every time he calls around, alternatively a video doorbell could be an option.

chiefwiggum

Yes thought about cctv but she lives in a terraced house but don't know how the neighbours would react as she's very new to the area.

How long does the doorbell record for out of interest? It's an interesting idea alright.

Clareman

Depends which 1 you get and what subscription you get, I have the Nest Hello and pay €100 annually for 60 days of events and 10 days 24/7 recording. A small camera in the front window pointing towards the front door might be an option as well, once he knows it's there he might change. Having a phone out recording someone can be quiet confrontational so I'd suggest an alternative if possible.

chiefwiggum

Yes the phone could be confrontational alright. I think the cctv or door bell could be the option

walterking

Get a real camera (about €30) and have it attached to the wall.

Talk to the neighbours and explain and show that it is not connected and not recording and is there as a deterrent.

Get a ring doorbell too.

Between both, that will stop the issue

NUTLEY BOY

It is tempting to suggest that a lawful but covert form of recording might be employed. This way the ex-husband might misbehave again if he thinks that he is not being recorded. A legal [registered] security expert should know what to do.

This might then lay an evidentiary foundation for a complaint to Gardai of harassment contrary to S10. Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

LINK : Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, Section 10 (irishstatutebook.ie)

Additionally, OP's friend should keep a log of every "incident" noting date, time and particulars of what happened. Very helpful if this went to court as distinct from trying to recollect details of one incident from another.