Wife of former prime minister files for protection order over abuse allegations

Linda Babao O’Neill, wife of former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, yesterday applied for an Interim Protection Order (IPO) against her husband in the Family Court in Port Moresby.

The order was satisfied by the court.

The charges against the former prime minister detail a pattern of ongoing physical, sexual and psychological abuse, harassment, intimidation, stalking and property damage to his wife.

On Oct. 28, Mrs. O’Neill, through her attorney, filed for a protective order over the incidents during their 25-year marriage.

A protective order applies if:

1. A protective order in the form of an injunction preventing the defendant and his relatives, employees and agents from assaulting, unlawfully harassing, intimidating and threatening in any form and manner against the complainant.

2. A protective order in the form of an injunction preventing the defendant and his relatives, employees and agents from directly contacting the plaintiff via phone, WhatsApp, e-mail or any other means of communication.

3. A protective order prohibiting the defendant and his relatives, employees and agents from approaching within a radius of 200 meters from the complainant and staying away from the complainant’s place of residence.

4. Any other additional or further orders and conditions that the court deems appropriate under the circumstances.

The alleged abuse described in her affidavit was sustained by Mrs O’Neill during her 25-year marriage.

In her affidavit, she stated that she was in constant fear that the defendant would approach her at any time to cause further harm, so she asked the court for a protective order.

The case will return to court in November for the court to decide whether to keep the order open indefinitely.