Since 2020, in the last 4 years, 37 women have been violently killed in Ireland, this is in addition to the 25 women who tragically lost their lives through violence in the North of Ireland. That's according to Sinn Fein's Sinead Flynn who highlighted these statistics at this month's sitting of Monaghan County Council. Of those tragic 62 lives lost in Ireland over 50% of suspects were reported as partners or ex partners of the victim. Approximately 20% were killed by a family member and nearly 90% of perpetrators were known to the victim. According to Sinn Fein's Sinead Flynn, women should be able to feel safe in their own homes and in their environment. Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr Flynn says that as a society we have an obligation to ensure that gender-based violence and domestic violence is not tolerated.
Cllr Flynn told Northern Sound; "Outside of Dublin, statistic show that Cavan/Monaghan has the highest rate of gender-based violence outside of Dublin yet we still do not have a refuge centre. Whilst I welcome Cuan and their work to develop a refuge centre for Cavan/Monaghan, it is my opinion that a shared facility with a neighbouring county is not sufficient. If adequate support systems are not in place, domestic violence could result in homelessness for women and children. Unfortunately, in some instances women feel they have no option but to remain in an abusive home rather than flee and face homelessness. This is unacceptable."
Cllr Flynn continued; "Not taking away from the tremendous work carried out in our county by the likes of Tearman and Safe Ireland, a shared facility with Co Cavan is simply not adequate. We need the immediate establishment of a refuge centre for Co Monaghan alone and in fact I would go so far as to say that we need at least 1 in each of our MDs. Let our voice be clear, all types of violence against women will not be tolerated and has no place in our society, we will continue to urge for great protection, greater provision and greater resources for victims. Gender based violence should not and will not be tolerated in any form."
