The estranged wife of Patrick Rafferty has been "living in fear" since she first learned her life was in danger nearly three years ago.
Mary Rafferty who was in court yesterday when her estranged husband was jailed for seven years for soliciting somebody to kill her, said she wanted to move on with her life and raise her children in a "safe, secure environment".
During yesterday's proceedings evidence was given of how an "acrimonious sequence of events" led to the breakdown of the couple's marriage which took place in 1995.
Supt John Scanlon told the court that €70,000 was withdrawn by Ms Rafferty from a joint bank account held by the couple which contained €100,000. Ms Rafferty also made certain disclosures to the Revenue Commissioners which resulted in judgments of €27,000 being made against her husband.
The court heard that Rafferty had been involved in another relationship about this time and that he now had a baby with his current partner Sinéad Ryan.
During Ms Rafferty's victim impact statement which was read out, the court heard how the mother of two children, aged six and four, had been "living in fear" since June 2004.
"My life had been turned upside down and I have lived in fear since June 2004 when I was made aware that my life was in danger."
According to Ms Rafferty she was forced to move out of her house until September of that year when she returned as one of her children was starting school.
"In February 2005, I again had to move out of my home due to another threat being made on my life. I would like to see justice done and to just move on with my life and raise my children in a safe, secure environment," she added.
During his evidence Supt Scanlon described Rafferty as an extremely "hard-working man whose motivation in life was making massive amounts of money".
The court heard how Rafferty, a native of Galway, left school at 14 and started work at a steelworks where he later became foreman.
At 27 he started up his own metal fabricator business and also worked at night time as a taxi/hackney driver. He currently works as a haulier.
Brendan Nix, defending, said his client "heartily regrets" what he did and despite having made copious admissions, he still found it very hard to come to terms with "the crime he committed".
He said it was of some comfort to his client that his two young children did not understand the "terrible thing" he had done and he hoped as they grew older they would learn to forgive him.
Rafferty had also seen a doctor for his depression, Mr Nix said, adding that his new partner Ms Ryan had stood by him "through these events".