District court figures show that there was an 8.64% increase in people applying for domestic violence orders between 2022 and 2023.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act to Fianna Fáil’s Ireland South MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, show that in 2022, 23,356 people applied for a domestic violence order. This figure increased to 25,570 in 2023.
From January to September 2024, 18,882 applications were made for domestic violence orders.
Under current legislation, the main kinds of protection available for victims, are safety orders and barring orders.
A safety order is an instruction from the court which blocks the person accused of abusive behaviour from committing further violence or threats of violence.
A barring order requires the person accused of abusive behaviour to leave the home, and prohibits them from re-entering the home.
Ní Mhurchú, who used to work as a family law barrister, said: “So many victims, mostly women, are enduring unthinkable nightmares in their own homes. We need a more victim centred approach.
“I represented many victims of domestic violence in my past career as a barrister and most were afraid and sometimes didn’t turn up in court. We need to reform our courts to make them more victim centred.”
According to Women’s Aid, one in four women in Ireland who have been in a relationship have been abused by a current or former partner.
Domestic violence
The figures highlight that Irish district courts granted 43% of domestic violence order applications in 2022, and 52% of applications in 2023.
From January to September 2024, 54% of domestic violence order applications were granted.
Ní Mhurchú wants the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, to make a series of changes to the court system.
She has called for more district court judges to deal specifically with family law cases, and for a review of sentences handed down to those found guilty of violence against women.
Ni Mhurchú also wants the government to consider allowing victims to apply for initial protection orders online, and for more consultation rooms to be available for victims in district courts.
The MEP has additionally called for district and circuit court judges to receive training in areas such as coercive control and violence against women, and for an investigation into why some towns have much higher levels of applications.
Applications for domestic violence orders between 2022 and 2023 increased by 328% in Lismore district court, Waterford going from seven to 30 applications.
The district court in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary recorded a 164% increase in applications for domestic violence orders between 2022 and 2023, and Killarney, Co. Kerry recorded a 96% increase in the number of applications.
Ní Mhurchú has said she will be requesting a meeting with Minister O’Callaghan, to discuss what further actions can be rolled out to protect the victims of domestic violence.