Domestic violence orders in Carlow among the highest in the country

CARLOW District Court has one of the highest rates for domestic violence orders in any district court in the country, new figures show.

In 2023, 541 applications for domestic violence orders were made at district court level in Carlow and Kilkenny, 72% of which were granted by a local judge.

The latest figures show there was a significant rise in applications for domestic violence orders in Carlow than in Kilkenny. In 2023, 375 applications were made in Carlow, compared with 166 in Kilkenny.

Between 2022 and 2023, the number of domestic violence orders applied for in Carlow rose by 6.2%. In Kilkenny during that period, applications fell by 11%.

Figures released for the first nine months of 2024 continue that trend, with 232 applications for domestic violence orders in Carlow and only 126 in Kilkenny.

Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a former family law barrister, has described these figures as concerning.

She questioned why some Irish towns have recorded enormous increases in the number of victims seeking protection from our district courts.

Ms Ní Mhurchú has called on the incoming justice minister Jim O’Callaghan to prioritise investment in domestic violence outreach, is asking for more district court judges to deal specifically with family law cases and for continued and ongoing training for district and circuit court judges in areas related to domestic violence, coercive control and violence against women.

The Carlow town native also highlighted the need for more consultation rooms for victims in our district courts and asked the incoming justice minister to consider allowing victims of domestic violence to apply for initial protection orders online.

“So many victims, mostly women, are enduring unthinkable nightmares in their own homes. We need a more victim-centred approach. I represented many victims of domestic violence in my past career as a barrister and most were afraid and sometimes didn’t turn up in court,” said Ms Ní Mhurchú.

“I often had to hold consultations with women on my knees in the foyer of the courthouse – often times with the alleged abuser on the other side of the room. We need to reform our courts to make them more victim centred.” The local MEP has said she will be requesting a meeting with the incoming minister O’Callaghan to discuss what further actions can be introduced to ensure the Courts Service prioritises victims of domestic violence.

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