Search

Listen Live

On Air Now

6:30am - 9:00am

Breakfast with Peter Dunne

Gala

Freed From Desire

Offaly Domestic Violence Service Says Proper System For Dealing With Emergency Calls Is Needed

Friday, 25 June 2021 10:48

By Ellen Butler X @LN_but

Over 3,000 calls to gardaí were cancelled between early 2019 and October last year.

A proper system needs to be established for dealing with emergency calls from domestic abuse victims.

That's the call from Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service, after it emerged over 3,000 calls to gardaí were cancelled between early 2019 and October last year.

Development Manager with ODVSS, Anne Clarke, say it's particularly alarming considering victims on average are assaulted up to 35 times before reaching out for help:

ODVSS are working to assist Victims of Abuse remotely during the current restrictions due to COVID 19 and can now be reached on 0579351886 and on 0860419154. 

Helpline support is available 7 days a week between 9am and 6pm.

 

Meanwhile,

There are calls for the Garda Commissioner to appear before the Oireachtas Justice Committee over the handling of the 999 calls from domestic violence victims.

An inquiry found over a third of the 3,100 emergency calls were cancelled for a valid reason, but 45 percent of calls marked as 'cancelled' now being investigated further.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has apologised to victims and says an inquiry has been established. 

But Sinn Fein's justice spokesperson Martin Kenny says an independent investigation needs to take place to restore trust in the force: 


The Justice Minister says she still has confidence in the Garda Commissioner following the scandal.

Minister Heather Humphreys doesn't think he should consider his position:

Share

More from Midlands News

Download Our App

Never miss a moment from Midlands 103