The Justice Minister has welcomed a ruling of Ennis District Court, which saw it remotely grant a protection order to a victim of domestic violence.
It comes as local organisations stress that help will be at hand during lockdown, a time which is likely to see an increase in incidents of domestic violence.
In the case, a woman who was self-isolating due to COVID restrictions secured a domestic violence protection order via video link from her own home.
This is the first time such an order has been granted remotely, and the move has been welcomed by a host of organisations who work with victims of domestic violence.
Today, Justice Minister Helen McEntee also welcomed the development
Like other domestic violence support organisations, Clare Haven says it witnessed a significant increase in demand for its services in line with the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The organisation, which supports women and children experiencing domestic abuse, reports a 15% increase in calls from March to August, amounting to two women every single day.
In addition, 55 women and their families presented at Clare Haven’s refuge in an effort to escape violence or abuse in their home, which is a rise of 13% on the same period in 2019.
Manager of Services at Clare Haven Services Ennis, Dr Siobhán O’Connor is reassuring people in Clare who are experiencing domestic violence to reach out for help, saying there is hope.
The latest figures released by Gardaí show a 7% increase in incidents of domestic violence in the county this year.
They also say there have been there were 68 breaches of barring, safety, and protection orders between January and September this year, a 31% increase on the same period last year.
In April, Gardaí launched Operation Faoiseamh, which is designed to help victims of abuse, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic, and that’s now continuing in this lockdown period..
Sergeant Caitriona Holohan, who is also Chairperson of the Clare Local Area Network, has stressed to victims that the level five restrictions won’t prevent people from getting help.
