SF urges tougher domestic violence laws
Laws against domestic violence must be strengthened, the Dáil will hear tonight.
Sinn Féin is to debate a two-day motion on the issue during its private members' time, ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
The party claims one in five Irish women experience domestic violence at some point in their lives.
Justice and equality spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh said: “Of the 126 women violently killed in Ireland since 1996, 81 died in their homes and just under 50% of victims whose cases were concluded were killed by their partner or ex-partner.”
He added: “More than a third of all calls to the Women’s Aid national phone helpline went unanswered due to inadequate funding in 2005.”
Sinn Féin, which holds its ard fheis this weekend, called for laws to be strengthened to protect victims and children.
“We need to make a clear statement to offenders that it is no longer tolerable in Irish society,” Mr Ó Snodaigh added.
