Domestic violence incidents reported to gardaí up 162% in eight years

A total of 49,230 domestic violence incidents were reported in 2024, up from 18,782 in 2016.

The number of domestic violence incidents reported to An Garda Síochána has increased by 162% in the last eight years, stark new figures have revealed.

A total of 49,230 incidents were reported in 2024, up from 18,782 in 2016.

Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion said the figures “demand urgent action”.

In 2024, there were 49,230 domestic abuse incidents reported to gardaí.

This was up from 46,749 in 2023, 45,945 in 2022, and 40,482 in 2021.

In 2020, some 35,668 incidents were reported. There were 30,572 reports in 2019, 24,413 in 2018, and 22,083 in 2017.

In 2016, there were 18,782 domestic violence incidents reported to gardaí. This marks a 162% increase in the last eight years.

Domestic abuse incidents include the breach of a barring order, emergency barring order, safety order, protection order, and interim barring order.

Additional data provided to Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane showed that the number of domestic abuse calls made to gardaí rose from 44,782 in 2020 to 65,224 in 2024.

Ms Funchion told the Irish Examiner that funding of services must be able to keep up with demand.

“This rise in domestic abuse incidents is deeply alarming and demands urgent action,” said Ms Funchion.

“It exposes a critical gap, with frontline domestic abuse services stretched beyond capacity and lacking the resources to meet the growing demand.

While it is welcome that more people are finding the confidence to report abuse, services are simply not funded to respond.

“Government must recognise the vital work of frontline services and guarantee sustainable long-term funding.”