'This is not just a Louth issue' - Calls for vacant town centre buildings to be turned into domestic violence refuges
Fianna Fáil Senator Alison Comyn was speaking following a briefing event at Leinster House
Louth Senator Alison Comyn has called for vacant town centre buildings across Ireland to be transformed into safe, supported accommodation for women and children leaving domestic violence refuges, describing the proposal as a practical and urgently needed national solution.
Speaking following a briefing event at Leinster House, Senator Comyn emphasised that the initiative must extend beyond County Louth and be delivered as a coordinated, cross-party response across all counties.
“This is not just a Louth issue, this is a national issue,” Senator Comyn said. “Across Ireland, women and children are doing the hardest thing imaginable by leaving abusive situations. They find safety in refuges, but too often their progress stalls because there is nowhere safe for them to go next. That is something we can and must fix.”
The proposal centres on local authorities taking long term leases on vacant properties, particularly unused upper floors in town centre buildings, and refurbishing them into secure, family appropriate homes. These would act as move on accommodation, providing stability for women and children as they rebuild their lives and await permanent housing.
Senator Comyn raised the issue in the Seanad today to the Department of Housing and again will raise it tomorrow with Department of Justice, calling for immediate government engagement and support.
“I am bringing this directly to Government because it requires joined up thinking and urgent action,” she said. “This cannot sit within one department. It must be a shared priority across housing, justice, health and social services. Most importantly, it must be supported across all parties. This is about safety, dignity and giving people a real chance at recovery.”
At the Leinster House event, Senator Comyn was joined by key stakeholders from Louth, including Susan Keogh, CEO of Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge, and Ann Larkin, CEO of Women’s Aid Dundalk, whose frontline experience she said highlights the scale and urgency of the issue. The well attended event in Leinster House was supported by and brought together ambassadors, dignitaries, politicians and a wide range of organisations, including the ICA, the Soroptimists, Women’s Shed and others.
“I was delighted to be joined by the CEO of Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge, Susan Keogh and by Ann Larkin, CEO of Women’s Aid Dundalk,” she said. “Their insight is invaluable. They see every day the gap that exists after a woman leaves refuge, and the real risk that without proper accommodation, women can be left with impossible choices.”
She added that the proposal delivers multiple benefits beyond addressing domestic violence supports.
“This is a solution that works on several levels."
“It provides a safe next step for families, it relieves pressure on emergency refuges, it makes use of vacant buildings, and it helps regenerate our town centres. It is practical, cost effective and can be delivered far more quickly than new build housing.”
Senator Comyn also highlighted the potential for pilot programmes to begin immediately in areas where demand and vacancy align, allowing the model to be tested and scaled nationally.
“The key message is that this is achievable,” she said. “We already have the expertise within local authorities, housing bodies and domestic violence organisations. What is needed now is political will, coordination and a commitment to act.”
Concluding, Senator Comyn said the proposal reflects a broader responsibility to support survivors beyond the point of crisis.
“When a woman leaves abuse, she is showing extraordinary courage,” she said. “We have a duty not only to help her escape danger, but to help her build a future. This proposal is about making that future possible.”