Local members of SAFE Ireland and the Tearmann Domestic Support Service for Cavan and Monaghan have put their names on a motion asking the Justice Minister to provide remote witnessing for victims of domestic abuse. They set down their motion at the Monaghan Joint Policing Committee meeting.
The issue of domestic abuse, sexual and gender-based violence was on the agenda of the meeting which, as always, was attended by local councillors, Gardaí and interested community groups. Detective Inspector Niall McKiernan from the Divisional Protective Services Unit, said domestic abuse conviction rates still remain low, partly because of issues around victims attending court to give evidence against their abusive partners. National domestic abuse service, SAFE Ireland, told the meeting they are currently running a pilot remote witnessing project.
Monaghan County Councillor Cathy Bennett put forward the motion on behalf of the support services. It "calls on the Minister of Justice, Helen McEntee, to provide remote witnessing in court for all applicants of Domestic Abuse" adding that the motion should be subject to the evaluation ongoing by SAFE Ireland. Siobhan McKenna from Tearmann said it is important the government listens to the advice of those who work with victims.
