Women and children forced to sleep on the floor

A DOMESTIC violence refuge in Dundalk, Co Louth, is predicting a shocking 90% increase in the number of times it will have turned away women and children this year because it was full.

Service manager Lisa Marmion said the refuge turned down 111 requests for accommodation last year. The refuge, which has five family rooms with 23 spaces for adults and children, accommodated 102 women and 126 children last year.

Sometimes, because of the demand on space, women and children have to sleep on mattresses on the floor.