Kildare sees 'staggering' increase in domestic abuse calls
TD for Kildare North calls for the reconvening of the joint police committees (JPCs)
Kildare saw a “staggering” increase in domestic abuse calls last year, a Sinn Féin TD has told the Dáil.
According to Deputy Réada Cronin, domestic abuse calls in Co Kildare rose by an incredible 25%, up 661 to 3,279 in 2024.
Speaking on International Women's Day, on March 6 2025, Deputy Cronin said: “Reporting of domestic violence is something I always insisted was on the agenda of the JPCs at our meetings in Kildare County Council, but since the local elections last year, JPCs have not been in operation.
“Dublin City Council, it is worth mentioning, is still holding its JPCs, to its credit.”
Deputy Cronin said that in Kildare, we are still waiting on the establishment of the local community safety partnerships that are set to replace the JPCs.
She added: “As one of the three James' who equal the number of women in Cabinet, I urge the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, to reconvene the joint policing committees while we are waiting for the Government to establish local community safety partnerships in order that we have a bit of accountability on the domestic violence that goes on in my county.
“We all have to do our bit for mná na hÉireann. Is ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid.”