Sites earmarked for domestic violence refuges

Two sites have been identified to establish domestic violence refuges - one each in counties Cavan and Monaghan.

Confirmation was given in the Dáil recently by Oonagh McPhillips, Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Responding to questioning by Sinn Féin TD Cathy Bennett before the Committee of Public Accounts, Ms McPhilips stated: “There are now two sites identified in Cavan-Monaghan. That is my understanding. There is one in Monaghan and one in Cavan.”

It was in acknowledgement to Deputy Bennett stating there was “supposed to be” a domestic abuse refuge in every county in Ireland.

“There is no domestic abuse refuge in either Cavan or Monaghan. That was supposed to be coming on track for years. It has still has not happened. I have been hearing that it would be coming on track for a long time,” she added.

Upon receiving the update Deputy Bennett stated: “That is good news. It is good to hear that there is going to be one in each county.”

Last year, in an interview with the Celt, CEO of Safe Ireland Mary McDermott stated the ambition was to develop a “two county plan”.

At the time engagement with Cuan, the statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in Ireland, was taking place and Safe Ireland were themselves in the process of preparing to advertise for the recruitment of a new Domestic Violence Accommodation Manager for the region.

One of the highest number of incidents of domestic abuse recorded per Garda division in 2023 was in Louth/Cavan/Monaghan, where 3,077 cases were reported.

There are approximately 159 refuge units in Ireland with another 54 set to be either under construction or due for refurbishment in 2025. It is a marked increase on the numbers delivered in 2023 (7) and 2024 (12). The overall target is 280.