A woman has told a court she believes she was meant to escape an ordeal in which she was held at knife-point by her ex-partner.
Jennifer Haugh made the comments in a victim impact statement at Ennis Circuit Court following a case over the incident at a unit in Kilkee industrial estate in Co Clare on August 20th last.
Gerard Garvey (49), of Marian Estate, Kilkee, pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Ms Haugh and assaulting her causing harm, but he pleaded not guilty to threatening to kill his partner of 28 years.
Ms Haugh (42) told gardaí that during the incident Garvey told her to shut up or he would slit her throat.
Det Garda Conor Flaherty said that Ms Haugh attempted to flee and made it outside the door of the industrial unit, where she shouted for help.
He said Garvey gave chase, caught her and banged her head off the ground a number of times before pulling her towards a car.
Ms Haugh’s shouting alerted Samantha Fennell, who was nearby. She said Garvey told her that “everything was okay” but that Ms Haugh pleaded with her not to leave and said Garvey had two knives.
Ms Fennell said as Garvey got into the car Ms Haugh got out and ran towards her. They then drove to Kilkee Garda station and raised the alarm.
Garvey had fled by the time gardaí reached the unit and a missing persons alert was issued for him due to concerns for his safety. He was arrested two days later.
Ms Haugh said she is not the same person since she was imprisoned by Garvey, who she has three children with.
“I was saved that day. I was meant to escape. I was meant to live,” she said.
Patrick Whyms BL, for Garvey, said the breakdown of the couple’s relationship earlier in the year had “completely unhinged” his client.
Judge Gerald Keys adjourned the case to May 20th.
