What is a safety order and how long does it last?

What the Law Says

The Domestic Violence Act 2018 sets out the legal framework for safety orders in Ireland. These are civil orders designed to protect people from domestic violence without requiring the respondent to be convicted of a crime.

A safety order is made by the District Court on application by a person who is or was in a relationship with the respondent — including spouses, civil partners, cohabitants, parents of a child, or dating partners.

The order prohibits the respondent from committing acts of violence or threats of violence against the applicant. It may also prohibit the respondent from entering or remaining in the applicant’s home or workplace, or from contacting the applicant directly or indirectly.

The court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe the respondent has used or threatened violence against the applicant, and that the order is necessary to protect the applicant.

Statutory Text

A safety order is an order of the District Court prohibiting a respondent from using or threatening to use violence against an applicant or from entering or remaining in the family home or any other specified place.

— Domestic Violence Act 2018, s. 6 — Safety orders

What to Do

Sources