Murder victim Seema Banu cried that she wanted to leave Ireland for her native India but her inquest has heard she did not want to go with her "dangerous" husband and said: "He will kill me."
Banu made the statement to a shop security worker who she spoke to in December 2018, saying Sameer Syed "tortures her all of the time."
It was just under two years before she, her daughter Asfira , 11, and six-year-old son Faizan Syed were found dead at their home in Llewellyn Court, Rathfarnham, south Dublin in October 2020.
READ MORE: 'We lost three gems' - Nephews of murder victims Seema Banu and her kids visit grave ahead of inquests
Seema's husband Sameer was charged with their murders but took his own life in the Midlands Prison last year before he stood trial.
This morning, Seema's nephews - who have travelled from India - were present at the inquest for her and her two children with a translator as evidence is heard.
Kamram Khan, a security guard in Dunnes Stores at Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford, south Dublin today gave evidence about his encounter with the distressed mum-of-two on Christmas Eve 2018.
He was asked by his colleagues to speak to Ms Banu, who was crying, as he spoke Hindi. Mr Khan told how spoke to her along with her two children and she told him she needed help and wanted to return to India.
She told him: "My husband is beating me and my kids very badly." Mr Khan told the inquest Ms Banu said Sameer "tortures her all of the time."
She and her children had not eaten since the night beforehand and staff at the shop gave them food.
Mr Khan said that she kept repeating that her husband would killer her and that he was really dangerous. She reiterated that she wanted to return to India but not with him.
Mr Khan added: "She said 'I don't want to leave with him, he will kill me'." The security guard said she would be helped, and staff called the gardai.
Ms Banu explained that her husband had worked in Dubai when she remained in India but he had told her that they could start a new life in Ireland where he would "keep you happy."
Mr Khan said he did not want to interfere in her personal life but said that the gardai would help her. During this time, Sameer was outside the shop and was not let in.
Mr Khan said he saw the family altogether some days later, adding: "They were outside, she was quiet, she was just walking behind him."
Former garda Aisling Long, stationed at Dundrum Garda Station at the time, was called to the incident at Dunne Stores at 3.15pm that day.
Mr Khan translated between her and Ms Banu at the time.
Ms Banu she said that her husband had beat her that morning but she did not want to make a complaint against him but wanted to return to India.
Ms Long also said that Asfira said she had been slapped across the face by her father. Ms Banu told the garda that since their arrival in Ireland two weeks prior, she had been beaten by Sameer every day.
She and the kids were taken to Dundrum Garda Station where gardai explained what steps could be taken.
But Ms Banu said she did not want to press any charges but go back home to India, but no one in her family could give her money.
Ms Long said her daughter Asfira comforted her mother throughout the time in Dundrum Garda Station.
Gardai brought Ms Banu back to her home to collect clothes, documents and she was "nearly sure" she also took passports.
Husband Syed was present and they spoke but it did not seem to her that they were fighting.
Ms Banu was brought back to the station where the kids were picked up and brought to Sonas refuge at 6.40pm that evening.
Ms Long said that she hugged Ms Banu after helping her into the refuge and that the mum was very upset.
Ms Long called the refuge some days later when she was told that Ms Banu left the following day to her and the children being admitted.
Follow up checks were carried out by gardai and referrals were sent to Tusla in regards to the two children.
After repeated attempts to call Ms Banu, she eventually called the station back and she said she was doing OK.
The inquest continues.
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