Brave Dublin mum Emma Murphy took a stand against her partner’s physical abuse because she "needed to be a role model" for her children.

The young mother-of-two (26) said she had ignored earlier violence at the hands of Francis Usanga because she wanted to have the “perfect family”.

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He contends her bruised eye may have occurred as a result of her falling over after the incident.

He told the newspaper: "Yes I did push her. I pushed her, I didn't punch her. It was just the force.

"I did sleep with someone else. But I did not punch and I absolutely did not split her head open.

"I know nobody will believe me but I am not a violent person. I never, ever want to hurt anyone," he said.



Emma, who is mother to two young children with Usanga, made a series of claims in a video she posted to Facebook which has since gone viral and has nearly been viewed almost million times. She has received worldwide support and praise for taking a stand against domestic violence.

Expand Close Emma Murphy goes through a range of emotions in this series of screengrabs from the video she posted on Facebook which was recorded on the stairs of her home in Ballymun / Facebook

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Emma told people she had decided to post the video after much thought and consideration. The video shows Emma sitting on the stairway of house tearfully telling people how Usanga was the love of her life, but she could never go back to him again following the alleged incident.



She also claimed that he "split" her head open on a previous occasion - something Usanga stenuously denied.

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Usanga is well known throughout the fitness community in Dublin.

He owns a gym and has appeared as a fitness expert on RTE programme 'Today'.

He also played a doctor in TV3 soap 'Red Rock' earlier this year.

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Online Editors