The Aontú PRO for the Midwest, Eric Nelligan has described data showing a 23% increase in domestic abuse calls to Gardaí from 2021 to 2022 as a harrowing reminder of the levels of violence and abuse in homes and relationships in the Clare/Tipperary Garda division. Mr Nelligan says the figures are shockingly high and even more worryingly they are growing year on year, the concern also exists that they are only the tip of the iceberg.
Close to an average of 6 domestic violence incidents are being reported to Gardaí each day in Clare and Tipperary. The total number recorded on the Garda Pulse system for Clare/Tipperary in 2022 was 2,139 with the 2023 figures already surpassing this total as total to the end of November is 2,169. The national figure up to November 2023 is 41,115, this is likely to surpass last year’s total year figure of 45,283
Mr Nelligan says greater resources need to be allocated to the Gardaí ‘Divisional Protective Services Unit’ in each Garda division, these are specialised teams that follow up with vulnerable victims in the most difficult and traumatising of cases.The Aontu rep says Society and the Government are failing victims and survivors of domestic violence adding that Ireland is far too lenient in terms of sentencing relating to offences of domestic violence or sexual abuse.
