A MASSIVE 69 per cent increase in the number of people jailed for breaching domestic abuse orders has prompted calls for specialist judges and courts to deal with what is being described as “an epidemic” of violence against women.
699 people were jailed in Ireland between 2020 and 2024 for breaching domestic abuse orders countrywide.
“Something in our society is fuelling an unprecedented surge in violence against women — an epidemic unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Ireland South MEP Cynthia Nà Mhurchú
The number of people who have been jailed for breaching domestic abuse orders in Ireland, including barring and protection orders, between 2020 and 2024 rose dramatically, new figures released to Ms Nà Mhurchú show.
Figures released to the former barrister and family lawyer, now MEP, show that 99 people were imprisoned in 2020 for breaching a domestic abuse order. In 2024, 167 people were imprisoned for breaching a domestic violence order, an increase of 69 per cent.
This follows the publication of a UN report which shows that an average of 137 women and girls are killed every day by someone in their own family.
Ms Nà Mhurchú described domestic violence as “an epidemic that is going on behind closed doors, in kitchens and bedrooms, in front of children, across homes in Ireland”.
Denise Dunne, director of services at the ADAPT domestic violence victim support organisation in Limerick, says there are additional reasons that offenders are being brought to answer for themselves.
“Increases in breaches of orders could be down to a number of issues,” Ms Dunne told the Limerick Post.
“We (ADAPT) are based down in Merchant’s Quay Courthouse three days a week, supporting women who are applying for orders. I think it makes a huge difference for women having that support there, and also us being able to accompany women into the hearings for orders and into criminal court for breaches.”
Ms Dunne said the organisation is “definitely seeing more women actually going through with reporting breaches of orders”.
“Also the response they (the victims) get from the Gardaà is immensely important when they go to report a breach. If they get a supportive response, the chances are that they will go ahead and make the statement regarding the breach.
“Overall, having that collaborative work between ourselves, An Garda SÃochána, and the Courts Services is definitely giving women support and confidence to firstly apply for the orders and then report the breach.”
Ms Dunne said that court “can be very daunting and quite intimidating when the woman has to face her abuser, and if it is a breach she may also be cross-examined by his legal representative. I think having support from the services makes a huge difference.”
MEP Nà Mhurchú praised the investment in new legal protections and resources for victims instituted under Minister Jim O’Callaghan, but has called for a suite of new enhanced measures to build upon the progress that has been made in improving the services and facilities available to the victims of domestic violence.
She has called for “the appointment of more specialised domestic violence judges in our district court system, a review of sentencing, at least one domestic violence refuge in every county in Ireland and reform of our district court system to make it more victim centred”.
“We can reduce domestic violence through a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, intervention, and support for survivors. This involves providing resources, ensuring adequate legal protections but also having a national conversation about what is driving the rise in cases of violence against women.”
– Court Reporting Scheme