Mayo councillors propose 'groundbreaking' initiative to assist victims of domestic violence

Members of Mayo County Council have proposed a review of the local authority's tenancy agreements so that perpetrators of domestic violence must leave the family property, instead of their victims having to seek emergency accommodation.

Raising the motion at the May meeting of the forum, Fine Gael Cllr Marie Therese Duffy said "domestic violence is happening behind closed doors in all communities" and "the majority of victims are women but some are male". 

"People have approached me and asked that we speak out as public representatives on this. Some of the experiences as told to me involve victims living in constant danger, and we have responsibility to move this on to the perpetrator. These are small steps we can make to tackle domestic violence. 

"Gardaí in Mayo responded to 2,607 callouts for domestic violence in 2025, a rise of 22% in reported cases. The Gardaí are doing a terrific job, and we need to ensure victims are supported through council policy. A number of agencies have also asked us to speak out on this, whose intervention is helping to save lives. Nobody should have to choose between violence and staying in a safe home, whether in rural or urban Mayo.

“I ask for a review of tenancy agreements with specific reference to this and call for future agreements to include a policy where perpetrators are removed from the property rather than the victims having to flee. It would then be a case of one person having to find a new home rather than a mother and a number of children.

"I also ask that those creating serious anti-social behaviour be removed from council homes. 

"I realise a lot of this is outside our remit but ask for it to be reviewed. I understand it is complex, but we have to take a stand and I thank the media for highlighting support groups and survivor groups.” 

Fine Gael Cllr Jarlath Munnelly supported the “very innovative and groundbreaking proposal", adding: “If Mayo County Council have the perpetrator rather than the victims leave, from a policy perspective, that would be a huge statement of intent and where we as a local authority and society stand on this subject. A review of our tenancy agreements and handbook could add teeth to this. The person who perpetrates domestic abuse is the person who should leave, whereas at the moment, mostly the victim is a woman and it is she and the children who often have to leave and the perpetrator is left in possession of the home.” 

He added: “An awful lot has been done in this country on this and around coercive control. We have come a long way on this issue and An Garda Síochána is very progressive. This is an opportunity for us as a county council to say we are standing on the side of the person who has been wronged and that is very important regarding the challenge of domestic abuse in our society.” 

Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry Murray stated: “Unfortunately over the years we have a lot of experience with this issue and places of refuge being sought for months at a time and women waiting in a house while due process is taking place and who are extremely fearful. I have had professionals in very well-paid jobs ringing me and we have no plan B. As a local authority, I think we need to be picking houses for these women who need them for a few months while due process takes place because a lot of subsequent violence otherwise takes place during this timeframe. 

"I had a case at Christmas of a woman in fear of her life and the lives of her kids. There wasn’t much I could do, other than to tell them to try and get some holiday accommodation. The issue is pretty complicated but I think we as a local authority should buy houses to cover these periods of need until due process allows them to go back to their homes.” 

Fianna Fáil Cllr Annie May Reape said the motion was very worthwhile, adding: “Unfortunately domestic violence is an escalating issue and in many cases the perpetrator stays in the property and the victim has to move and sometimes the situation is so bad, the neighbours want to leave as well, with all the callouts and the other work the gardaí have to do. Domestic abuse and any other cases of violence are supposed to be moved out of council houses, but this never seems to happen, so we need to take action.” 

A written response from council management noted that the local authority's anti-social behaviour policy is currently under review, but added: “It should be noted that cases of domestic violence do not come within the scope of the legal definitions of anti-social behaviour. The Domestic Violence Act 2018 is the appropriate legislation for such cases. It is the intention of the Housing Unit to review future tenancy agreements across a number of issues, and this matter will be given serious consideration at that time, subject to legal advice and any relevant guidance from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.