Search

16 Dec 2025

Victims and survivors waiting 'too long' for progress on cases of domenstic violence

'From listing to initial hearing, domestic violence cases can take more than 100 days' - Emmet Doyle, Aontú

'From listing to initial hearing, domestic violence cases  can take more than 100 days' - Emmet Doyle, Aontú

'From listing to initial hearing, domestic violence cases  can take more than 100 days' - Emmet Doyle, Aontú

Reporter:

Staff Reporter

16 May 2025 12:00 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

The length of time the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the Court system take to progress cases of domenstic violence has been criticised by Aontú Ballyarnett representative, Emmet Doyle. 
According to Mr Doyle, the most recent figures available show that, on average, from listing to initial hearing, such a case  takes more than 100 days.
"I have been contacted by multiple victims of domestic violence in recent times who have experienced excruciating delays in getting justice and closure for their experiences," said Mr Doyle.
He added: "The Western Trust, for example, has told me that they aim to release medical records to the PSNI for cases within a month, yet I know of cases where people have waited much longer.
"Then, when the case file is ready, the process between the first listing in court and the first hearing is on average 106 days - which doesn't include the timeframe for appeals.  I know of cases that have taken significantly longer, adding anguish and frustration for victims and their families.
"I also have a concern about the falling conviction rate for domestic violence prosecutions.  Whilst the number of cases being prosecuted in the most recent figures is the highest yet at 3,587 in Magistrates Courts, the conviction rate has fallen from a high of 65.5% in 2020 to the new low of 56.9% in 2023.
"Given the rising number of cases being prosecuted, it is fair to say that the number of cases in the community is rising, and we need to ensure that all stakeholders are expediting requests for information relating to cases."

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!

Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.

Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Most Popular

Sponsored Content

Multimedia

We've got Donegal Covered...

Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie

Buy a paper

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Buy Now
Get the news

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.

Register Now
Iconic Media is Ireland's largest independently owned regional newspaper and media group, with an unrivalled audience in print, online and mobile. We have 19 regional newspapers and 21 digital sites.

Iconic Digital Titles

  • Carlow Live
  • Clare Live
  • Derry Now
  • Donegal Live
  • Éire Bheo
  • Inish Live
  • Ireland Live
  • Kildare Live
  • Kildare Now
  • Kilkenny Live
  • Laois Live
  • Leitrim Live
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Live
  • Longford Live
  • Louth Live
  • Mayo Live
  • Nenagh Live
  • Offaly Live
  • Tipperary Live
  • Waterford Live

    • Iconic Print Titles

  • Clonmel Nationalist
  • County Derry Post
  • Derry News
  • Donegal Democrat
  • Donegal Post
  • Dundalk Democrat
  • Homes in Donegal
  • Inish Times
  • Kilkenny People
  • Leinster Express
  • Leinster Leader
  • Leitrim Observer
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Leader
  • Longford Leader
  • Mayo News
  • Midland Tribune
  • Tipperary Star
  • Tullamore Tribune

    • This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.

    © 2025 Iconic Media