Irish Woman Shot by Ex After Police Ignored Stalking Reports

URGENT UPDATE: Eileen Gibbons, an Irish woman, was shot in an attempted murder-suicide by her ex-partner Ralph Donald on October 3, 2023, in Millner, Darwin, Australia. Reports confirm she had reached out to authorities five times over the past six months, citing stalking and dangerous behavior from Donald, but police failed to act decisively.

The inquest into the tragic incident revealed alarming gaps in police response. Gibbons, who survived the brutal attack, testified via video link from Ireland, detailing how Donald had become increasingly controlling and aggressive, locking her inside their home. Despite these warning signs, police deemed the situation non-threatening due to a lack of documented physical violence.

On the night of the shooting, while visiting Donald to retrieve belongings for their 11-month-old daughter, Gibbons was confronted by Donald, who brandished a rifle and shot her in the stomach. In a chilling moment, he allegedly asked, “Do you want to die?” before taking his own life in the yard. Gibbons described how she ran in fear but fell as the gunfire erupted, with Donald’s brother attempting to intervene.

The court heard that in the months leading up to the incident, Donald had been “spiraling” after their breakup, feeling isolated and distressed. Gibbons recalled early red flags in their relationship, which intensified after the birth of their child in 2022. She characterized their time together as “toxic,” complicated by financial strains as their mortgage rates surged.

Police had previously responded to incidents involving Donald, including a report made by him and one from his brother during a heated argument. Despite these multiple calls for help, authorities did not recognize the escalating danger. A police officer involved admitted that, after undergoing training on coercive control, he realized he could have handled the situation differently, acknowledging that Gibbons had alerted them to Donald’s troubling behavior.

The inquest, expected to last five days, aims to uncover how such a tragic event could unfold despite numerous warning signs. Gibbons’ testimony serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for better protection for victims of domestic violence.

As this case unfolds, the community is left grappling with the heartbreaking consequences of inaction. The inquest continues to shed light on the systemic failures that allowed this tragedy to occur, raising critical questions about how police respond to domestic violence reports.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.