McNamara calls for more supports for domestic abuse support organisations

Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has called for wider supports for domestic abuse support organisations in light of 2020 figures released to him and figures for 2021 highlighting an increase in the number of reports of domestic abuse in Ireland over the last 12 months.

According to an RTE Investigates (link) programme, to be aired tonight, the number of breaches of court protection orders in domestic abuse cases reported to An Garda “increased by more than 60% during the pandemic”, when compared with 2018 and 2019.

The RTÉ programme will also examine how many services across the country are describing themselves as “overwhelmed”.

Deputy McNamara has described the increase in domestic abuse incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in 2021 as “alarming”.

“In March 2021, I received figures showing that that Gardaí received approximately 43,000 calls to respond to domestic abuse incidents during 2020, representing a 16% increase on 2019. The figures sourced by RTÉ Primetime show that this figure increased to 48,400 in 2021. The year-on-year increase is alarming but unsurprising considering the public commentary by domestic abuse support organisations, including organisations in Clare, over the past year,” stated Deputy McNamara.

He added, “While there are a number of organisations across Ireland working tirelessly to provide professional support to domestic abuse survivors, it is clear that wider supports are needed in light of the growing incidences of domestic abuse.”