What is the the root of this behaviour..

Wasn't diagnosed with a severe mental illness that could cause psychosis, wasn't diagnosed with a personality disorder like psychopathy/sociopathy/NPD (none of which would excuse anything but would help explain) therefore seems to be just an appalling person.

If 5 years is the max sentence, then it’s a joke of a penalty for such a crime but in fairness a guilty plea does need to be acknowledged in terms of a somewhat reduced sentence but more to the point, the penalty is way too low in the first instance.

Secondly, did anyone listen to the account on RTÉ last night? The Gardai themselves need to be investigated around the handling of this case - there were big failings in terms of the perpetrator being able to manipulate his colleagues and other state services - that’s not good enough and I’m sure added greatly to the grief and suffering of the poor victim

I think a person who behaves like this, to begin with, has had some early very negative influence in life, some authority figure that was abusive. Perhaps a cruel mother who sparked off a deep hatred of women, or a father figure who abused a woman who wasn’t able to show care for the child. Now there are plenty of people who had terrible childhoods who don’t take it out on others later in life, but I reckon it is a continuously growing hatred stemming from childhood that is behind it. Combination of early circumstances and maybe lack of the experience of being loved leading to ever growing hatred.

You are more than likely right about the early negative influence. I would consider myself a very strong person having survived the death of of a child from cancer. However 10 years ago I was in a relationship with someone who was emotionally abusive and coercive. It starts with very small things like why you forgot to buy something on the shopping list, to why you left the car door open ......to why you looked at someone else. Its insidious and creeps up on you. You begin to blame yourself. If you question anything its quickly put back on you and you are made feel like dirt. You try to make the peace each and every time. Everyone around can see what's happening but you don't as its usually in the first flush of love stage that the changes start.

This man had been sexually abused as a child. I tried to fix him through love but its on a different scale of damage. The whole town he was from thought he was a great guy but he was a street angel/ house devil. He went to a counsellor and ended up having an sex with her. I finally got in the car one day and drove away and never came back. Luckily I was strong enough. These abusers can only help themselves, nobody else can fix them. His ex wife had gone through hell l later found out too.

Paul Moody looks evil. There will be no remorse with a man like him. He blamed that poor woman for everything and never once looked at himself. He deserves to get the exact same abuse in jail that he dished out to her. And worse. I only hope this lady recovers and survives. I can't imagine dealing with Stage 4 cancer on top of being with someone like him. That beggars belief.