Childminder Ms Joy Fahy had indicated to a doctor, soon after she returned in 1999 to Dublin from Canada, where she had been working for Ms Dolores O'Riordan and her husband, Mr Don Burton, that she had felt like a prisoner in Canada, the High Court was told yesterday.
Dr Robert Hickey, a GP, said Ms Fahy had told him Mr Burton had been verbally abusive to her and that she had been afraid she was going to be physically attacked by him.
The doctor was giving evidence on the fifth day of the action by Ms Fahy (34) against the Burtons for alleged breach of contract. Ms Fahy was employed by the Burtons as a childminder for their then baby son, Taylor, while they were in Canada in 1999, having previously spent a short period with them there in 1997.
Dr Hickey said Ms Fahy had a consultation with him on July 8th, 1999, shortly after she returned from Canada. She complained of being anxious and feeling down. She gave a history of being in Canada with the Burtons. She had expected to be there for a short time but, after arriving, was told she would be there for a much longer time.
The doctor said Ms Fahy had told him Mr Burton had kept her passport for five days. She had been informed that the Burtons would be travelling and that she would be minding the child. She said they were in a remote area and, because they did not have a car or transport, she had fears about that.
Dr Hickey said he prescribed medication for Ms Fahy. He had previously treated her for depression in 1997. She was having nightmares about her situation in Canada. He believed she needed further treatment.
At the conclusion yesterday of evidence for the plaintiff's side, Mr Bill Shipsey SC, for the defence, said he was seeking a direction that the false imprisonment claim by Ms Fahy against both of the Burtons be struck out. Counsel for Ms Fahy indicated that part of the claim was not proceeding against Ms O'Riordan-Burton. Following legal submissions, Mr Justice Quirke refused to strike out the false imprisonment claim against Mr Burton. The judge said it was appropriate that the case should be heard in full before a determination was made.
Also yesterday, Ms Anna Maria Fahy-Ryan, a sister of Ms Fahy, said that when Joy returned from Canada in 1999, she had stayed with her in Ennis on and off. Ms Fahy-Ryan said Joy's property was to be delivered to her house. It did not come and, following inquiries, they found it had been delivered to a house on a nearby estate.