“FIRST OF ITS KIND” DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFUGE FOR CAVAN/ MONAGHAN – BUT DELIVERY COULD BE “YEARS AWAY”

The first in a new national model of refuge facility for victims of domestic violence is to be provided in Cavan/Monaghan – but delivery of the project could be “years away”, Monday’s meeting of the Co Monaghan Joint Policing Committee was informed. The prospect of such a protracted wait for a resource entirely lacking in Co Monaghan and which has been advocated as a priority angered Sinn Féin member of Monaghan Co Council Cathy Bennett, and her ire was echoed by Independent Co Councillor Hugh McElvaney who branded a response to Councillor Bennett on the issue from the Co Council “a disgrace”.

Following representations made on the issue by Councillor Bennett at the previous JPC meeting, a written response from the local authority was circulated at Monday’s meeting which read: “Monaghan and Cavan Co Councils are working with Safe Ireland and Tearmann on the provision of safe houses and a refuge for the two counties. Recently, Safe Ireland published a Safe Space Refuge Design Guide with a view to having a framework in place to design the best type of refuge and ensure all the correct and appropriate services are available.

“Whilst the delivery of this project by Safe Ireland is some years away from delivery, Monaghan Co Council has assured both Tearmann and Safe Ireland that any proposal for the acquisition of a property that…