Human trafficking does not appear to be a problem in Tipperary, says Garda Chief

Domestic violence reports continue their trend of increasing by 14% between January 1 and June 11.

That is according to the Chief Superintendent's report at this month's sitting of the Joint Policing Committee. 

Several members of the JPC asked for the number of domestic violence incidents by area.

The Chief Superintendent Colm O'Sullivan said he didn’t have those figures, and if he had, he would be reluctant to share them.

He said “drilling down” risks interfering with ongoing court cases and identifying victims.

“It’s not fair on them to have their business made public,” said Chief Supt O’Sullivan. Deputy Browne asked if the domestic violence figures and assaults overlap.

Chief Supt O’Sullivan said that domestic violence incidents can be first classed as assaults but that gardaí are following up with victims.

He said there is a process in place for handling domestic violence separate from assault cases.

Cllr Siobhán Ambrose asked if trafficking and forced prostitution were represented in the figure.

The Chief Superintendent said it did not appear to be a significant issue in Tipperary at the moment.