OFFICIAL figures show that almost half of all applications to the courts in Limerick for an order which would protect victims of domestic violence were refused in the last three years.
But Denise Dunne, director of services with Adapt, says she is puzzled by the news, as almost all of the orders applied for by people who are supported by the Limerick organisation are granted.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act to Ireland South MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú show that 1,117 Limerick people applied to the district courts in 2023 for a domestic violence order.
That figure was down 6.4 per cent on the 2022 figure, when 1194 people applied on Shannonside for a domestic violence order. The district courts in question are in Limerick City and Newcastle West.
According to the figures, only 55 per cent of applications for domestic violence orders were granted in 2023 in Limerick, while 52 per cent were granted in 2022.
From January to September 2024, 784 domestic violence orders were applied for at district court level in Limerick, of which 422 were granted.
There are various types of protection which victims can seek from the courts. A restraint order, a safety order, and a barring order all carry with them the penalty of arrest and possible imprisonment if the order is broken.
Limerick City District Court had the highest number of applications for a domestic violence order, at 943, in 2023, followed by Newcastle West District Court, where there were 174 applications.
According to the figures, there were decreases in the number of domestic violence orders applied for between 2022 and 2023 across all of Limerick’s district courts.
However, Ms Dunne told the Limerick Post that the Adapt experience has been very different.
“Over the last two years we have seen an increase in people coming to us for support,” she said.
Adapt have had a presence in the district court buildings for the last two years, with a staffed information desk three days a week.
“We have certainly been busier in that period. We provide advice and a court accompanying service. I can say that for people linked in with us, 99 per cent of applications for a court order are successful.”
Ms Dunne added that “not everyone who has experienced domestic violence links in with us, so I can’t speak for the figures which cover those people. I can only say that from our experience, there has not been any decrease in the numbers experiencing domestic violence”.
On foot of the figures released to her, MEP Ní Mhurchú called on Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to prioritise investment in the area of domestic violence.
She called for more district court judges to deal specifically with family law cases, allowing victims of domestic violence to apply for initial protection orders online and more consultation rooms for victims in district courts.
She also wants to see continued training for district and circuit court judges in areas such as domestic violence, coercive control, and violence against women.
