'My phone never stopped' - Survivor of coercive control by Garda breaks silence on RTÉ tonight

A survivor of coercive control by a member of An Garda Síochána is set to break her silence about the ordeal on RTÉ tonight (December 11). 

In a landmark case that unfolded in July 2022, a member of An Garda Síochána was convicted of the offence of coercive control, marking a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for survivors. 

A survivor of the Garda's abuse, Nicola, has decided to share her harrowing story in a new RTÉ documentary called Taking Back Control in a bid to raise awareness and empower others in similar situations. 

She and her family and friends will be live on Upfront with Katie Hannon at 10.35pm following the premiere of the documentary on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9.35pm. 

They will discuss how to spot early warning signs within a relationship and what needs to change to protect women and men who are experiencing coercive control. 

Nicola was a key witness in the prosecution's case against her abuser and, at the same time, she was living with terminal cancer. 

Taking Back Control provides an unflinching account of the abuse she endured and the strength it took to reclaim the rest of her life. 

Nicola said, "Nobody should be controlled. Nobody should have anybody trying to destroy their life and trying to hurt them.

"My phone never stopped calling, if I went to work my phone never stopped calling. If I went in to visit my sister, he was practically on the phone for the whole time I was visiting my sister.

"A couple of times he said to me I don't want to spend one day without you, I didn't obviously think he meant it, but he actually really meant it.

"I thought how can I not enjoy this, I craved hugs, I craved all the intimacy, to feel that love, it felt great, it felt amazing. Where I didn't realise, at that stage, that it was wrong." 

Nicola’s decision to relinquish her anonymity was made to help break the cycle of silence that often shrouds victims of domestic abuse and coercive control. 

Directed by Trevor Birney and produced by Fine Point Films for RTÉ, Taking Back Control airs tonight at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.  

Support is available at: 

Woman's Aid - 1800 341 900

Men's Aid - 01 554 3811

Safe Ireland - www.safeireland.ie

Video: RTÉ / Fine Point Films