Woman 'harassed' while waiting for gardaí to serve protection order 

National Women’s Council of Ireland director Orla O’Connor said its research had shown there were concerns 'about the inconsistent response from An Garda Síochána to domestic violence, including failing to enforce protection orders'.

A woman who was granted a protection order in court had to wait for more than a month before it was served, with gardaí now investigating claims she was the subject of harassment while she waited for the order to be enforced.

The case of the Leinster woman, who cannot be identified, has been raised with Justice Minister Helen McEntee by Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan, and has led to calls for swift action on addressing enforcement of domestic violence safety orders.

Head of regional services at Women’s Aid Eavan Ward said the organisation was aware of instances where “women we are supporting have safety order applications struck out because the protection order has not been served”.

National Women’s Council of Ireland director Orla O’Connor told the Irish Examiner its research had shown there were concerns “about the inconsistent response from An Garda Síochána to domestic violence, including failing to enforce protection orders”.

Mr Durkan said the woman in the case had been “subject to the most appalling abuse and threats and mental suppression”.

She has been treated like a dog by the system. She should not have to be in danger.

In response to a parliamentary question by Mr Durkan last month, Ms McEntee outlined the protection order was granted on August 22, before being transmitted to the local Garda station of the man on which the order was to be served.

“The protection order was served on 24 September 2024, and the conditions and content were explained to the respondent.” 

She said gardaí were currently investigating the harassment complaints made by the victim.

She added she was “committed to preventing and combatting all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence, including through the introduction of new, stronger legislation to hold perpetrators to account and by improving supports for victims”.

However, Eavan Ward said any delay in serving domestic violence orders was unacceptable and left women at risk from further harm.

“This risk is heightened when there are excessive delays, such as in this case. Unfortunately, delays are common.

In our experience many women still must notify the abuser themselves of an order having been granted, which puts women at risk of violence, retaliation, or intimidation. 

"As a result, if there are no witnesses/records to the notification of the order, the perpetrator can subsequently lie about having been notified and therefore can get away with breaches.” 

She said Women's Aid was aware of cases where communication from the courts to the local gardaí in relation to domestic violence orders was not adequate or not immediate enough.

“The current system of serving orders to protect victims of domestic abuse is inconsistent and in need of urgent reform.” 

Ms O’Connor said delays “to protection for victims from the courts, and the shortfalls in enforcement of that protection, are unacceptable and compound trauma for survivors”.

She added women were being left “in a very precarious situation without the protection and safety that the perpetrator takes from them”.

There are still concerns about the inconsistent response from An Garda Síochána to domestic violence, including failing to enforce protection orders, Ms O’Connor said.

“There is an overall urgency to put the experiences and needs of victims at the centre of the justice system, including ongoing training and stronger monitoring and supervision of AGS to allow for this. 

"Crucially, the Government’s zero tolerance strategy must be fully implemented immediately so that women can feel and be safe on our streets.” 

An Garda Síochána has been contacted for comment.