There has been a 10% rise in the total number of domestic violence orders issued by the courts over the last eight years, official figures show.

I would like to thank Sarah Opperman (Irish Examiner, Nov 6) for — perhaps unwittingly — providing one explanation of the motives behind the upcoming children’s referendum.

Domestic violence accounts for almost half of all cases heard at the Family Law courts and 40% of safety orders are granted by judges, it emerged today.