Financial pressures identified as root cause of 50% of relationship break-ups

One in two couples who turned to marriage counsellors last month identified financial pressures as being the root cause of their relationship breakdowns.

Therapists said the number of couples who sought professional help in January was up 15% on the previous year, with over half of last month’s clients falling out over overspending at Christmas and mounting bills.

Experts at Relationships Ireland said financial worries are increasingly leading to problems with couples’ sex lives, with male partners in particular too stressed to perform.