Domestic violence order applications surge in Cork as over 2,300 filed in 2023

Cork City had the highest number of applications in 2023 at 1,420 followed by Mallow with 271 and Midleton with 187

There were more than 2,300 applications for domestic violence orders made in Cork in just one year with just over half being granted.

According to the latest figures, 2,338 people in Cork applied to the district courts for a domestic violence order in 2023 — up 15% on the previous year.

Between January and September 2024, there were 1,796 orders applied for in the county with 960 granted.

Cork City had the highest number of applications in 2023 at 1,420 followed by Mallow with 271 and Midleton with 187, according to the figures released to Ireland South MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú under the Freedom of Information Act.

Just three districts saw a reduction in applications — Youghal, Skibbereen and Fermoy — while Cork City, Bandon, Bantry, Clonakilty, Macroom, Mallow, and Midleton experiencing an increase.

Clonakilty, where 91 applications were received, recorded the largest increase with the number of applications up almost 90% between 2022 and 2023.

Nationally, there was a 9% increase in the number of applications to district courts between 2022 and 2023.

Lismore district court recorded a 328% increase in applications while Carrick-on-Suir was up by 164% in 2023.

In Kerry, Killarney saw a 96% increase with the number of applications increasing from 94 in 2022 to 184 the following year.

Ms Ní Mhurchú, has called on the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to prioritise investment in the area of domestic violence.

There is an urgent need to reform the courts to make them more victim-centred by ensuring continued and ongoing training for judges in the areas of domestic violence, coercive control and gender-based violence, she said.

Allowing victims to apply for initial protection orders online should be considered as should the provision of more consultation rooms for victims in the district courts.

"I represented many victims of domestic violence in my past career as a barrister and most were afraid and sometimes didn’t turn up in court," Ms Ní Mhurchú.

"I often had to hold consultations with women on my knees in the foyer of the courthouse — often times with the alleged abuser on the other side of the room."

There is also a need for more district court judges to deal specifically with family law cases.

Ms Ní Mhurchú will request a meeting with Mr O'Callaghan to discuss what actions can be taken to ensure victims are prioritised in the Irish courts system.