A survivor of domestic abuse says despite recent updates to legislation, she still believes "a lot of things have to change" if Ireland is going to properly assist people in abusive relationships.
Nicola Hanney was speaking on Upfront with Katie Hannon which was broadcast after the RTÉ documentary on her story, 'Taking Back Control.'
The documentary highlighted the abuse she suffered at the hands of her former partner and then-member of An Garda Síochána, Paul Moody. In July 2022, Moody was sentenced to three years and three months for coercive control.
The former garda harassed Ms Hanney and made a series of threats against his then partner, whom he met on an online dating site in 2017.
He sent her over 31,000 threatening, abusive, degrading and demeaning texts and phone communications, told her he hoped she would "die of cancer" and "die in pain" and threatened to kill her.
Watch 'Taking Back Control' on the RTÉ Player here.
Ms Hanney said she decided to share her story in a bid to raise awareness and empower others in similar situations.
"I feel that if I don’t break my silence how can I send a positive message to other people that are living in these situations."
"It’s very difficult to actually believe that was my life at one time but I’m just so glad that I’m one of the survivors because there are so many women out there that haven’t got the same story to tell," she said.
The mother of one, who was also undergoing treatment for cancer at the time of the abuse, said there is no shame in telling the truth and that one should have to live in these situations.
"Since this has happened to me, I find other women are coming forward to me already about their friend or somebody that they work with. I feel like there’s a lot of judgement out there, as in I think women should be supporting women and men also," she said.
"For now, I have the rest of my life to live. My life was horrendous for them years, but now I want to give people a positive message that you do not have to live like this, it’s wrong."
Ms Hanney also told host Katie Hannon that she hopes to shed light on the early signs of unhealthy and potentially unsafe relationships, and to empower victims, their families and friends, to recognise these "red flags" and act before it's too late.
"If you go on a date or meet someone, listen very clearly to how they speak about their past relationships," she said.
Nicola added her life is fantastic at the moment, that she is enjoying every single day, and not taking a minute of it for granted.
The cancer survivor said that not enough support is there to give people the confidence to leave abusive relationships.
"I’m alive. There are so many people who haven’t survived. Things have to change. We have to be heard, if we want the cycle to change in this country, the law has to change also," she said.
Watch Nicola Hanney speaking to Upfront with Katie Hannon on the RTÉ Player here.
