Justice minister visits Dundalk Women’s Aid

On his visit to the Women's Aid Dundalk centre on Long Avenue on Thursday last, Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, was told that the branch had recently received planning permission for a new 12-unit site at Highfield on the Newry Road.

The Minister, who had earlier called to Dundalk Garda Barracks, was taken on a tour of the Long Avenue refuge before being shown plans for a new development. He promised that he’d be there for the official opening.

The Minister, who, later in the day, was part of the government delegation for a meeting of British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, was accompanied by Louth TD, Erin McGreehan on his Dundalk visit.

He met members of the Women’s Aid board, headed by CEO, Ann Larkin, and helpers at the refuge.
After accompanying the Minister on a tour of the refuge, Ms Larkin outlined the work they do in supporting victims of domestic violence.

She stressed the importance of not only creating safe housing, but also ensuring that all necessary supports are in place for those who seek refuge.

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Deputy McGreehan said that a lot of work is being done at national level in relation to domestic and gender-based violence, and it was important that the Minister hears from those on the front line.

“Women should not be living in fear. It takes so much for someone to leave a violent abuser. It is not easy to uproot everything and often risk their own lives to leave a violent partner. Women’s Aid is there to support women day in day out to not only survive domestic violence but thrive after it,” she added.

On his visit to the Garda Barracks, Minister O’Callaghan said it was “a pleasure” to meet with senior gardaí from the Louth Division. He was briefed on all operations in the county, and assured the local force of his support.

He wanted to acknowledge the “devastating” impact the murders of Detective Adrian Donohoe and Garda Tony Golden had, and asked that he be kept informed on their cases.