Siobhan McKenna from Tearmann said Christmas "can be a frightening and isolating time for women and children as the family is together for an extended period".

Siobhan McKenna says it shows the "extremes" that some perpetrators go to.

The money will go towards providing support, information and advice to victims.

Siobhan says that everyone needs to stop making excuses for unacceptable comments and actions by men.

Cavan and Monaghan are two of only a small number of counties that currently don't have a domestic violence refuge.

Cavan and Monaghan gardaí will be visiting Syrian refugee families and travelling communities.

The process is said to be in "the very early stages".

Siobhan McKenna says news items like the jailing of Daniel Murtagh makes people "take stock of their own life".