Serious domestic assaults rise by 24% during pandemic

Assaults in private homes have increased, with a 24% increase in serious assaults and a 5% rise in minor assaults in the 12 months to January 2021.

Serious domestic assaults have jumped by almost a quarter over the last 12 months, according to provisional Garda figures.

The statistics indicate there has been a substantial reduction in the number of assaults outdoors, which Garda HQ puts down to Covid-19 measures, specifically the closure of pubs and clubs and restrictions on movements.