Updated: September 2019
Recognising Domestic Violence
Domestic violence can be physical, sexual or mental abuse. It can happen to anyone at any time. If you are being abused, remember you are not alone, it’s not your fault and help is available. All the orders listed below are available to both opposite and same sex cohabitants.
To apply for an order you must go to your local District Court Office (see Courts Service below).
Barring Order
You can apply for a barring order if your partner is being violent towards you and you have been living together for 6 months in total during the past 9 months. (This requirement is different for married couples). To apply for a barring order or a safety order you must go to your local District Court Office.
A barring order requires the violent person to leave the family home, unless that person owns the family home in full or has greater rights than you to the home.
A barring order can last up to 3 years and can be renewed.
You may also apply for an interim barring order where there are reasonable grounds for believing that you are at an immediate risk of significant harm and the granting of a protection order would not offer sufficient protection.
Safety Order
A safety order prohibits the violent person from further acts of violence or threats of violence. It does not oblige that person to leave the family home.
You can apply for a safety order no matter how long you have been living together. A parent can apply for a safety order against the other parent of the child even if they have never lived together.
A safety order can last up to 5 years and can be renewed.
Protection Order
You can apply for a protection order while you are waiting for the court to decide on your application for either a safety or barring order.
A protection order prohibits the violent person from further acts of violence or threats of violence. It does not require the violent person to leave the home.
This is a temporary order but will have immediate effect.
If you get any of the above court orders and the violent person breaks it, then the Gardaí can arrest and charge that person.
You can get a barring order if you have been living together for 6 months in total during the past 9 months
Specialist information on domestic violence
For more specialist information on domestic violence contact:
National Women’s Aid Helpline
Freephone 1800 341 900
www.womensaid.ie
Amen
Support service for male victims of domestic abuse
Helpline: 046 9023 718 / 086 7941 880 / 086 1947 270
www.amen.ie
Local Garda station
www.garda.ie
Courts Service
01 888 6000, www.courts.ie
Treoir
Federation of services for unmarried parents and their children
Tel: 01 670 0120, info@treoir.ie | www.treoir.ie
The Legal Aid Board
Locall: 1890 615 200, Tel: 066 947 1000, info@legalaidboard.ie | www.legalaidboard.ie
Free Legal Advice Centres
LoCall: 1890 350 250, Tel: 01 874 5690| www.flac.ie
Download our Information Pack for Unmarried Parents here
NOTE:
Treoir 2019
While every effort has been made to ensure the information provided in this webpage is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted by Treoir for any error or omission.