Limerick survivors call on counselling notes to be fully withdrawn from gender-based violence trials

Among the protestors on Mallow St was abuse survivor Caitríona Hickey who said the defence request to see her councilling notes 'added another layer of trauma'

Friday's demonstration in front of the office of Kieran O’Donnell TD was organised by Rosa Socialist Feminist Movement. 

A group rallied on Friday in Limerick City to call for counselling notes of victims to be fully withdrawn from gender-based violence trials.

The demonstration, organised by Rosa Socialist Feminist Movement, took place on Mallow St in front of the office of Limerick TD Kieran O’Donnell.

The group urged Mr O’Donnell, who was not in his Limerick office today, to support the protest of proposed legislation allowing judicial oversight on the use of counselling notes in gender-based violence trials.

Abuse survivor Caitríona Hickey told the Irish Examiner: “I am completely against the use of counselling notes in any sexual violence or gender-based violence trials. She said: 

I know firsthand the feeling of having those notes requested. It added another layer of trauma to an already very traumatic report. 

"So I wanted to try and safeguard future people from having the same experience that I did, and have some bit of a safe reporting process.” 

This comes as the Dáil heard on Thursday that therapists do not condone “retraumatising” victims of sexual abuse through the use of counselling notes in criminal trials.

Local councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara, who also works as a psychotherapist said: “It is devastating that people’s private and confidential counselling notes can be used in this way.

Those client notes are taken as an ethical requirement by therapists. If they are actually seized and used, that is breaking all trust and the sense of safety. 

"As therapists, it is our main job is to create that safe space so that we can actually do the work and help somebody through something as horrific as gender-based and sexual violence.” 

The charge was part of a wider debate on the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which was brought forward by justice minister Jim O'Callaghan.

In relation to the use of counselling notes in criminal trials, groups of survivors and some therapists have been calling for a complete ban.

Similar protests also took place in Cork, Waterford, and Dublin.