‘Scandalous’ lack of Domestic Violence refuge for Laois described as ‘a potentially deadly situation’

The “scandalous” lack of a Domestic Violence Refuge for Laois has been described as “a potentially deadly situation” this week.

That is the view of Fianna Fáil Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald, who told Laois County Council that “the women of Laois are going to suffer and suffer’

“Frontline domestic abuse services regularly warn that the point at which a woman decides to leave can be most the most dangerous,” Cllr Fitzgerald said.

“Leaving is already hard enough for any woman or family in this situation, and we have nowhere locally to offer them.

“That means asking women and children to leave their own area; leaving their schools, leaving their friends, leaving their neighbours.

“We’re coming up to Christmas and we see this every year – the domestic abuse figures rise – and where are we in Laois again? We have nowhere to offer a woman in Laois. Nowhere for her children.”

A house in Portlaoise had been purchased by the Council over a year ago, but no progress has yet been made.

The additional purchase of 0.3 acres of land has been requested by Laois Domestic Abuse Service, which has further delayed the project.

Several other obstacles are slowing progress. The service must find a housing association as a partner on the project, and the planning permission process must still be adhered to.

The added issue of a protected structure on the site is causing further delays and has called into question the decision to choose the site.

“I personally stated that I was against this site that was purchased,” Cllr Fitzgerald said. “I said all along, the women of Laois are going to suffer for longer and longer and longer.

“There were other sites, Greenfield sites, that were available, but no. The Domestic Abuse Service, as far as I know, the board insisted on this site – one of the most awkward sites in Portlaoise.

“And now we need more land? How long is that going to go on? When will it ever be built?”

There was support from Sinn Féin Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley and Fine Gael Councillor Vivienne Phelan.

Laois is one of nine counties in Ireland without a Domestic Violence Refuge, which Cllr Dwane Stanley pointed out also includes Offaly.

“That means, automatically, when women and children have to go out of the county, they’re not even able to go as near as Offaly.”

Cllr Phelan added: “We need action, and we need to prioritise the most vulnerable people out there.

“Just this week, €7.3 million was announced to fund the redevelopment and refurbishment of the Kerry Domestic Abuse Refuge; and they already have one – so clearly the money is there in the Department.”

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