Editorial: Justice being served - and seen - is crucial to supporting victims yet to come forward
The result of justice being not just served, but seen to be served, is incredibly impactful. It gives voice to victims, far beyond the walls of the courthouse on Catherine Street. It will potentially save lives.
Two court reports in this week's edition of Waterford News & Star provide chilling insight into the insidious nature of domestic violence and coercive control.
The first case is horrific - involving the murder of eight-year-old Malika Al Katib in her home by her father. Mohammed Al Shaker Al Tamimi will serve a life sentence for the brutal stabbing that took the life of his beautiful, kind, innocent daughter. The evidence documented abusive behaviour by Al Tamimi, culminating in the horrific crime that unfolded on December 1, 2024.
Malika's mother's testimony, of what she and her daughter were subjected to, was brave and powerful. Our deepest sympathies go out to Aisha and her family.
In the second case involving coercive control, the woman involved came forward after a family member became aware of abusive messages on her phone. Her family intervened in full support of her, which led to the woman revealing the horrific nightmare she had been subjected to.
Thankfully, the judicial system supported her from there on - she succeeded in obtaining a five-year safety order from the District Court, and the case proceeded.
The defendant pleaded guilty to six charges at Waterford Circuit Court, including counts of coercive control, assault, criminal damage and theft, and threatening to distribute imagery taken without consent. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 27 months in prison.
The nature of the evidence was again harrowing. The man began exhibiting controlling behaviour a couple of months into the relationship, messaging the woman thousands of abusive messages. In those messages, he threatened to murder her and to rape her, including rape with a knife.
He photographed her while she was taking a shower, without her knowledge, and threatened to disseminate this if she ever left him. The abuse became physical when he strangled her and assaulted her after she told him she was leaving him.
A concerning aspect revealed through the Probation Report was that the defendant was prone to minimisation and contradiction, still apportioning blame to the woman. Judge Eugene O'Kelly said the defendant's abuse had made her a "prisoner in her own life".
The woman's bravery in coming forward to the gardaí is to be applauded - many more victims of coercive control remain in the shadows. The nature of this horrific criminal behaviour is, by its nature, stealthy, and incredibly dangerous.
It is rare that cases of coercive control come before the courts. Thanks to the support of Coimisiún na Meán - the Media Commission, under the Court Reporting Scheme which was introduced earlier this year, the Waterford News & Star, and other regional newspapers, are able to cover a broader selection of court stories.
The result of justice being not just served, but seen to be served, is incredibly impactful. It gives voice to victims, far beyond the walls of the courthouse on Catherine Street. It will potentially save lives.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Waterford News & Star readers and advertisers for your support during 2025 - you play a crucial role in supporting regional journalism, which is fundamental to local democracy in action.
Wishing you a peaceful and happy Christmas.
Nollaig shona daoibh go léir.
