A fitness instructor accused of violently attacking his girlfriend Emma Murphy in a heartbreaking viral video seen by millions all over the world last week, has spoken out to say he is "extremely sorry" for the attack.
Today Show fitness guru Francis Usanga, who has two children with Ms Murphy, broke his week-long silence to tell the
Sunday World: "I lost the head and basically pushed her straight in the face. I shoved her in the face. It was a real forceful shove in the face. I connected with her face."
Speaking to the
Dublin Gazette, Finglas fitness instructor Emma said she was "gobsmacked" by the reaction to her video, which she posted to her Facebook page:
"I just want to protect [my kids] and to show them that this is not acceptable from anyone. It's not acceptable to touch a woman."
Speaking about the incident, which Murphy claims was not the first, Mr Usanga, who is due to speak with Gardaí about the alleged assault, continued:
"It was uncalled for. I don't condone it. It was very hard. I pushed her very hard in the face. It was so quick that it would have been the strongest part of my hand, it was with an open hand. It was more of a push, a real hard push.
"It was pretty violent and there's no excuse at all and I'm extremely sorry for that."
In a further attempt to explain himself after 26-year-old Emma's domestic violence video was seen six million people worldwide, Usanga said:
"I'm not a violent person. I didn't wake up on that Friday to go to work and violently hurt anybody or hurt Emma. I just couldn't believe that was me raising up my hands to her face. I just couldn't believe it, I was just so shocked. I'm just sincerely sorry. It's not a way a man should be,"
If you are suffering domestic violence and need help, call Women's Aid on 1800 341 900. The line is open from 10am to 10pm every day of the year, except Christmas day. You can also email helpline@womensaid.ie.
