Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this Bill and the co-operative and constructive way it progressed through the Oireachtas. It is significant legislation that is urgently needed. One stark statistic highlights its importance: one in three women has experienced psychological abuse by a partner while 15% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner.

There is a case with which the Minister for Justice and Equality will be very familiar. The woman involved is Siobhán Phillips, a woman who was shot and grievously wounded in October 2015, in the same incident that saw Garda Tony Golden murdered and Crevan Mackin take his own life. Siobhán was the victim of sustained domestic violence. Two days before she and Garda Golden were shot, she went with her family to Dundalk Garda station. She had been the victim of two days of sustained assault by Crevan Mackin. She had been beaten and slashed and was in a distressed state physically and emotionally. According to her family's account, despite Siobhán and her father telling the garda concerned that Mackin had threatened their lives, the officer refused to take a statement and insisted that Siobhán go to Omeath the next day and speak to Garda Golden. The family was also deeply upset because their conversation, which was of a very intimate and personal nature, had to take place in the public hallway of Dundalk station in front of other members of the public.

I made numerous representations to the current Minister for Justice and Equality and his predecessor. Last December, I was advised that the policy of An Garda Síochána on domestic abuse intervention had been revised. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, wrote to me to say that An Garda Síochána had established a divisional protective services unit in three Garda divisions, including Louth. When I subsequently raised this issue in Dundalk station with senior gardaí, they acknowledged that the station was still inadequate for dealing with this kind of situation. They told me they had applied for funding to correct this in order that gardaí could meet victims in a proper, fitting and more therapeutic environment. They told me the funding had been refused.

I have no doubt of the Minister's sincerity in moving this Bill. However, a genuine commitment to facilitate the victims of domestic violence to report their abuse and seek help must also ensure that not only is this Bill passed but that it has the financial supports needed to ensure it can be implemented effectively. I appeal to the Minister to order a review of the existing facilities in Garda stations for victims of domestic violence to tell their stories.

Finally, I commend SAFE Ireland, Women's Aid and the statutory and voluntary activists who work to provide a safe place and a safe place for victims of domestic violence and who campaign every day in support of victims of domestic violence. I want to acknowledge the bravery and strength of those victims who speak out against their abusers.

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