Women's Aid attacks fall in domestic violence arrests

Arrests arising out of cases of domestic violence in Ireland have fallen by 12% in the past five years, according to figures released by Women’s Aid.

The group has blamed inadequate legislation and a change in garda attitudes to domestic violence for the fall in arrests.

Spokeswoman Eithne Fitzgerald said the issue is not getting the attention it deserves.

"If somebody is assaulted by somebody she knows -,by her partner, by her husband - it is just

as serious an assault as if a stranger comes up and attacks her on the street and it has to be taken very seriously," she said.

"I think there is evidence here, with only 15% of reported assaults resulting in arrests, that it’s not being taken as seriously."