family law

This is incredibly poor advice.

The OP has to attend Court. The Court take their power to compel people to attend Court extremely, extremely seriously. It is absolutely vital that if you are summoned to Court you attend. I can't overstate how idiotic your advice is.

If he doesn't attend Court, he may not be arrested but the Court will proceed in his absence to make whatever Orders his ex is looking for.

Anyhow OP, I used to be a family law solicitor but left it as it was too depressing. Your best option is to get a solicitor you can talk honestly to.

In Court, you will have a very short window to convince the Judge of your side of the story. Ime, it's always good to create a good impression by turning up on time, in clean clothes, presentable etc. Sounds like a minor thing but you'll literally only have a few minutes to create an impression so stack up everything you can in your favour.

Good luck

He doesn't have to be charged with anything for her to get a barring order against him, which she's presumably going for in Court. It would be extremely foolish for him to follow your advice.

@maestroamado please stop. Will all due respect, you obviously know nothing about how Safety, Protection or Barring Orders are granted or how the Family Courts operate. If you want to start a discussion on the legal aspect, start a thread on Legal Discussion. (sorry mods, not trying to mod, but it needs to be said).

Non-attendance at the Court on foot of these proceedings would result in any order his partner has applied for being immediately granted to her by default.

OP, if your were called by a Garda, it appears your partner / spouse (?) may have already had an ex-parte hearing in front of a judge. You are not in a good position. She is playing hardball. Did the Garda advise if any temporary order has been granted?

Whatever you do, attend the court, and seek legal advice. Please also contact Mensaid Ireland.

If you feel you are being railroaded you can also contact Womensaid - don't let the title fool you, they will also offer advice and assistance to men.

As also mentioned earlier in the thread, FLAC offer specialised FLAC Family Law Clinics.

Inform yourself on what constitutes "Domestic Violence", so you are prepared to answer anything you may be accused off at the hearing.

Domestic Violence is a lot more than just physical abuse - emotional abuse, manipulative or controlling behaviour can also be classed as DV. (That is not me saying you are guilty of these things - just that you need to be fully informed).