Domestic Abuse Action Network welcomes new refuge
Pictured outside the site for the new Carlow Women's Refuge Centre deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Mairead Maddock Carlow Children and Young People's Services committee, Superintendent Anthony Farrell and Esther Pugh from Bernardo’s Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
HARD work and commitment have successfully righted a wrong that had placed Co Carlow among only nine counties in the country without a women’s refuge.
Last week, that anomaly was corrected with the decision to identify the former Monastery Hostel, Dublin Road, Carlow as the site for a ten-unit women’s refuge to be run by Amber Women’s Refuge CLG.
The Carlow Domestic Abuse Action Network (CDAAN) is an interagency group which works to raise awareness and advocates for services for children and families impacted by domestic violence and abuse in Co Carlow. The network set up a task group facilitated by Tusla in 2023, which worked together to identify and recommend an agency to establish and develop a women’s domestic violence refuge for the county.
“The network is delighted with the announcement that Amber Women’s Refuge and the Monastery Hostel site for the refuge has now been agreed. We also wish to thank everyone for their hard work to get to this exciting stage, especially those who sat on the task group,” said Mairéad Maddock and Esther Pugh of CDAAN.
“The network now looks forward to the timely development of this much-needed refuge in the county and will eagerly support Amber to ensure that the women and children experiencing violence and abuse in their homes will have the best possible supports and services,” they added.
The task force included deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Esther Pugh (chair) representing Barnardos, Molly Kirwan from Forward Steps FRC, Lynda Stacey, Bagenalstown FRC, Lisa Morris, Amber Women’s Refuge, Mary Ronayne, consultant family therapist, Honoria Gilchrist and Anton Scheele from Carlow Women’s Aid, Kathleen Chada from Safe Ireland, Dylan Thomas, Carlow County Development Partnership, Michael Brennan and Brian O’Donovan from Carlow County Council, Darina Cross and Anita Clancy from Tusla and Ann Kirwan Finn from Carlow & South Leinster Rape Crisis Centre.
CDAAN membership also includes representatives from Children and Young People’s Services Committee, An Garda Síochána, Focus Ireland Tenancy Support, St Catherine's Traveller Women’s Support, Carlow Regional Youth Services and St Catherine’s Centre.
