The number of domestic violence cases before the courts has increased by a quarter over a five-year period.  

The Courts Service Annual Report reveals the justice system dealt with almost 550,000 new cases last year.

The number of asylum cases has more than doubled, drugs cases have dropped by 10.5% and public order and assault cases have decreased by 9%. 

“Public order and assault, we found last year the District Court received in 43,750 cases which was down from 47,990 in 2022,” Courts Service Head of Superior Courts Operations Tom Ward said. 

An empty courtroom. Image: Mark Strozier / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Ward said he thought the increase in domestic violence cases was likely down to greater levels of public awareness. 

“We’ve seen over the last five-years a 25% increase in the numbers of domestic violence cases coming before the courts,” he said. 

“We think that’s due to a number of reasons - in particular the public awareness campaigns that were run during the pandemic that encourage victims to come forward and report complaints to the courts and also to the Guards as well.” 

Taoiseach Simon Harris has previously spoken of the Government’s commitment to a society where there is “zero tolerance” of violence against women.

Main image: A courtroom inside the Courts of Criminal Justice in Dublin. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland. 

Reporting by Clíona O'Dwyer and James Wilson.