69% increase in people jailed for breaching domestic abuse orders
Michael Bolton
The number of people who have been jailed for breaching domestic abuse orders in Ireland, including barring and protection orders, between 2020 and 2024, rose dramatically.
New figures released to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú show 99 people were imprisoned in 2020 for breaching a domestic abuse order.
In 2024, 167 people were imprisoned for breaching a domestic violence order, an increase of 69 per cent.
This follows the publication of a UN report last week, which shows that an average of 137 women and girls are killed every day by someone in their own family.
According to Ní Mhurchú, “Something in our society is fueling an unprecedented surge in violence against women — an epidemic unlike anything we’ve seen before.”
Ní Mhurchú has called for the appointment of more specialised domestic violence judges in our district court system, a review of sentencing, at least one domestic violence refuge in every county in Ireland and reform of our district court system to make it more victim-centred.
“We can reduce domestic violence through a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, intervention, and support for survivors.
"This involves providing resources, ensuring adequate legal protections, but also having a national conversation about what is driving the rise in cases of violence against women”.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women’s Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Men’s Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.
Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
