The government has identified Cavan-Monaghan as a priority location for a domestic abuse refuge. Eight family places have been prioritised for the Northern Sound region, with Cootehill, the proposed location for the new 24-hr refuge. It is expected the government will deliver the places by the end of 2025. Cavan-Monaghan TD, Niamh Smyth, raised the need for a refuge in this area directly with the Justice Minister Helen McEntee in the Dáil.
In a statement, the local TD said: "I appreciate there are some services in the constituency, but these services are already stretched. We urgently require a 24hr refuge in the Cavan-Monaghan area that offers safe and secure accommodation and support." Deputy Smyth said: "The Minister for Justice has provided reassurance that Cavan-Monaghan is a priority area for the development of refuge accommodation and every effort will be made to ensure this happens as speedily as possible."
"To date I've convened a number of meetings with all stakeholders, as in Túsla, our local authority housing department, SAFE Ireland and, of course, Tearmann [Domestic Abuse Services based in Monaghan Town] who is very very active on the ground and currently provide support for women and children who find themselves in an abuse situation," Deputy Smyth told Northern Sound, "with all those stakeholders, as well as An Garda Síochána, we are going to deliver a refuge for Cavan-Monaghan but, I'm really heartened to see that so far progress has been made and a site has been identified in Cootehill."
