The number of applications for divorce in Ireland has hit a record high.
Some 5,856 people have filed for divorce - a figure which is up 11% on the previous record of 5,220 two years ago.
Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show today, Family Law Solicitor Keith Walsh explained why he thinks there has been such a sharp increase.
"I think the main reason is that on January 1st 2020, the law changed as a result of the referendum introduced by Josepha Madigan, which was to reduce the waiting time for divorce from four years to two years."
Prior to Madigan's change, couples who wanted to divorce had to have been separated for at least four out of the previous five years.
Now it's only two of the previous three years.
"There was a whole range of people who hadn't been eligible for divorce who could now apply", said Walsh.
Changing times
However, Walsh said there also appears to be a general increase in divorce figures anyway.
"I think there's a great case to be made for it now to be reduced from two years apart out of the previous three to one year apart out of the previous two", said Walsh. "I think that would allow people to move on with their lives."
"Thankfully", much of the stigma surrounding divorce that he saw in the early days of its legalisation has faded.
"When I started doing this work in the late 90s, people almost apologised coming into the office to talk about separation and divorce. They often hadn't told their friends and family."
"Particularly in the last ten years, that's all blown away", he said. "Separation and divorce has been normalised, which is probably why the recent numbers are growing."
More women are applying for divorce than men, with about 60% of people initiating the proceedings now being female.
"Wives tend to be a bit more inclined to push things on and not live with the status quo."
Separation
While divorce rates rise, there has been a 13.5% drop in applications for judicial separation, where people live apart without getting divorced.
Judicial separation are used to relieve partners from commitments such as property maintenance. It can only be used when there is a "fault ground", such as adultery or abuse.
Main image shows two wedding rings.
