VICTIMS of domestic violence should not have to pay legal fees when taking cases against their abusers.
That’s according to Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, family law barrister and Fianna Fáil candidate for Ireland South in the upcoming European elections.
Ms Ní Mhurchú says that legal fees are stopping some women from reporting and prosecuting domestic violence incidents as it can cost hundreds of euros to get even a barring order if victims do not qualify for free legal aid.
“At the very least, the first application for a temporary protection, safety, or barring order – by the victim – should be done via an online form and an online application to a judge to simplify and streamline the difficult application,” she suggested.
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