Gardaí reiterate commitment to tackling domestic violence

As most Covid restrictions lift, gardaí are reiterating their commitment to prioritise tackling domestic violence and prosecuting perpetrators.

Provisional figures published on Monday show gardaí responded to over 48,400 domestic abuse incidents last year, a 10 per cent increase on 2020.

More than 4,250 criminal charges were brought for breaches of orders under the Domestic Violence Act 2021, 6 per cent more than the year before, while 8,600 criminal charges were brought for crimes involving an element of domestic abuse in 2021 – up 13 per cent on the previous year.

The Garda campaign on tackling domestic abuse, Operation Faoiseamh, began on April 1st, 2020, in recognition of the heightened risk people living with domestic abuse were at under stringent lockdown measures.

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Acts of abuse

A Garda statement said that during its fifth phase, between December 8th, 2021, and January 5th, 122 Operation Faoiseamh-related prosecutions commenced.

It said 45,283 contacts and attempted contacts with victims of domestic abuse have taken place since Operation Faoiseamh began.

Divisional Protective Service Units have been established in every Garda division, with a total of 392 Garda members assigned on a full-time basis to supporting frontline gardaí in the investigation of domestic violence incidents.

Det Chief Supt Colm Noonan, of the Garda National Protective Service Bureau, said the "commitment to vulnerable victims remains resolute".

He added: "The increase in prosecutions in 2021, both in respect of breaches of Domestic Violence Act orders and for crimes involving an element of domestic abuse, demonstrates that An Garda Síochána have the capacity and resolve to fully investigate domestic abuse offences and to prosecute offenders."

Anyone affected by these issues can access support at: Women’s Aid 24 Freephone 1800 341900; Rape Crisis Centres 24-hour Freephone: 1800 778888; and Emergency: 999/112.