Local TD provides updates on County Carlow Domestic Violence Refuge

Local Carlow TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has provided updates in relation to the County Carlow Domestic Violence Refuge along with members of the task force.

Read Next: National Heritage Week makes its way to Carlow with a number events across the County

Firstly, looking at the newly assembled task force:

"The Carlow Domestic Abuse action Network (CDAAN) is an interagency* group which works to raise awareness and advocate for services for children and families impacted by Domestic Violence and Abuse in County Carlow. The Network set up a task group** facilitated by Tusla in 2023 which worked together to identify and recommend an agency to set up and develop a women’s domestic violence refuge for County Carlow. The Network is delighted with the announcement that Amber Women’s Refuge CLG was selected and that the Monastery Hostel site for the refuge has now been agreed. We also wish to thank everyone for their hard work to get to this exciting stage, especially those listed below who sat on the Task Group The Network now looks forward to the timely development of this much needed refuge in the County and will eagerly support Amber to ensure that the women and children experiencing violence and abuse in their homes will have the best possible supports and services.

Members of the Task Force

TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Barnardos - Ester Pugh (Chair)

Forward Steps FRC - Molly Kirwan

Bagenalstown FRC - Lynda Stacey

Amber Women's Refuge - Lisa Morris

Consultant Family Therapist - Mary Ronayne

Carlow Women's Aid - Honoria Gilchrist, Anton Scheele

Safe Ireland - Kathleen Chada

Carlow County Development Partnership - Dylan Thomas

Carlow County Council - Michael Brennan, Brian O'Donovan

Carlow & South Leinster Rape Crisis Centre - Ann Kirwan Finn

Tusla - Darina Cross, Anita Clancy

CDAAN Membership

Barnardos - Ester Pugh (Chair)

Children & Young People's Services Committee - Mairéad Maddock (secretary)

Tusla PPFS - Aisling Reade 

General Practitioner - Dr Regina O'Kelly 

CW County Development Partnership - Dylan Thomas 

Tusla DV Support - Caitríona Kirwan / Eileen Dillon

Garda Siochana - Insp Ealine Dalton

Carlow Women's Aid - Honoria Gilchrist

Amber Women's Refuge - Lisa Morris, Tanya Keating / Gemma Hughes

Focus Ireland Tenancy Support - Amy Fitzgerald

Bagenalstown FRC - Laura Ryan

Tullow Forward Steps FRC - Molly Kirwan

Carlow Regional Youth Services - Mairéad Coady

St Catherines Traveller Women's Support - Mary Jayne Berry

Consultant Family Therapist - Mary Ronayne 

Men Ending Domestic Abuse MEND - Michael Hennessy

Tusla Social Work - Sam Willis

St Catherines Centre - Shane Hamilton"