New figures released to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú show that there has been a 69% increase in the number of people being jailed for breaching domestic abuse orders in the past five years.
The figures show that 99 people were imprisoned in 2020 for breaching a domestic abuse order. This number increased to 167 people being jailed for the same offence in 2024. This follows the publication of a recent UN report, which shows that an average of 137 women and girls are killed every day by someone in their own family.
Ní Mhurchú said: “Something in our society is fueling an unprecedented surge in violence against women – an epidemic unlike anything we’ve seen before.”
While praising investment in new legal protections and resources for victims, which was brought in by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, the Ireland South MEP is calling for more advanced measures to build upon progress made to date in improving the services and facilities available to victims of domestic violence.
Ní Mhurchú has also called for the appointment of more specialised domestic violence judges in the district court system, a review of sentencing, at least one domestic violence refuge in every county in Ireland and reform of the 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,” Ni Mhurchú said.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
