Seven women have been killed in Ireland this year, data from Women’s Aid has revealed. 

Every year since 1996, the organisation has kept track of the number of women who have died violently. 

Women’s Aid does so because “more public awareness of the signs, signals and patterns that lead to femicide is needed”. 

Bruna Fonseca

The first woman to die violently in Ireland this year was Bruna Fonseca, who was found dead in her apartment on Liberty Street in Cork on New Year’s Day. 

Originally from Brazil, she had recently moved to Ireland to work as a cleaner. 

Miller Pacheco will stand trial for her murder in the New Year. 

Maud Coffey

Less than a fortnight later, the body of 41-year-old Maud Coffey was discovered in an apartment at Royal Canal Park, Dublin 15. 

Maud Coffey. January 2023. Image: RIP.ie

The following day, Austin Mangan was charged with her murder.

Geila Ibram

Geila Ibram died on April 4th in Limerick. 

The mother of four was 27-years-old and originally from Romania. 

Geila Ibram

Habib Shamel was charged with her murder and remains in custody in Northern Ireland’s HMP Maghaberry. 

Catherine Henry

On May 24th, the body of Catherine Henry was found in her home on Bridge Street in Dundalk. 

Catherine Henry. June 2023. Image: RIP.ie

Luke Donnelly has been charged with her murder. 

Anna Mooney

On June 15th, Anna Mooney was found stabbed to death at her home on Kilbarrack Road in Dublin. 

Anna Mooney.

Stephen Mooney, also of Kilbarrack Road, Raheny was charged with her murder. 

Deepa Dinamani

On July 14th, 38-year-old Deepa Dinamani was found dead in a house in Wilton in Cork City. 

41-year-old Regin Rajan was arrested at the scene and later charged with murdering the mother of one. 

Lorna Woodnutt Kearney

Lorna Woodnutt Kearney was killed in an attack in her home in Offaly on September 30th. 

A teenager was arrested at the scene and charged with her murder. 

Claire Collins

The bodies of Claire and Joe Collins were discovered at their County Clare home on November 16th. 

Claire Collins. November 2023.

Gardaí are treating the cause of death as a murder-suicide case, in which Claire was strangled to death by her husband. 

Government priority

In a statement to Newstalk, the Department of Justice said tackling violence against women remains a "priority" for Minister Helen McEntee and new funding had been allocated.

"Additional funding secured in Budget 2024 will support the implementation of the Zero Tolerance plan, including by allowing for the establishment of the new agency, and will greatly assist the agency in meeting the acute needs for services throughout the country," a spokesperson said.

"To strengthen our laws in this area and to encourage more victims to come forward, Minister McEntee has introduced legislation which creates new standalone offences of non-fatal strangulation and stalking.

"The Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – which was signed into law by the President in July - also increases the maximum penalty for assault causing harm from five to 10 years."

According to the UN Global Study on Homicide: Gender Related Killing of Women and Girls, 137 women are killed by a partner or family member every day across the globe.

Main image: Bruna Fonseca.