Possible site being assessed for Offaly domestic violence refuge

Planning permission for a much-needed emergency refuge centre in Offaly for victims of domestic violence could be sought by the end of this year, pending the availability of a suitable site.

The Offaly Independent understands that Offaly County Council has identified at least one potential site within the county, which is currently being assessed for its suitability to provide emergency accommodation for eight families.

Offaly is one of nine counties in Ireland that do not have a domestic violence refuge, but the Department of Justice has committed to providing 280 new refuge spaces by the end of next year, with Offaly being one of 12 locations earmarked for the delivery of a refuge centre that would incorporate eight family spaces.

The CEO of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS), Anne Clarke, said she is very hopeful of "significant advances" being made by the end of this year in relation to the provision of a refuge centre for victims of domestic violence in Offaly.

"There is a huge need out there for emergency refuge," she said, "it is the missing piece of the jigsaw in terms of the services we are in a position to provide for domestic violence victims who come to us looking for support."

ODVSS, which has been in existence for almost 30 years, currently has three 'safe houses' in each of the three municipal district areas of Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry, where victims of domestic violence can avail of short-term accommodation, and Anne says she could fill them "ten times over" such is the need for places.

The three safe houses were delivered last year as part of a three-way funding partnership between Offaly County Council, Oaklee Housing and Cuan, the newly-established statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

"We could keep filling each of our three safe houses continually," said Anne Clarke. "We are well aware that, despite the many services we can provide to those who come to us seeking assistance, we do fall short when it comes to accommodation options."

She added that the Department of Justice would evaluate any potential sites identified in Offaly for a new domestic violence refuge centre, and she pointed out that very specific criteria must be met for the facility, including that it must be located within one kilometre of schools and other such services.

Ms Clarke commended the efforts of Cuan – of which Tullamore's Molly Buckley is a Board member - and all the other stakeholders involved in working towards the provision of a refuge centre for Offaly.

She added that the current housing crisis has "greatly exacerbated" the problems that domestic violence victims face in trying to exit violent relationships. "They very often end up staying in the family home, despite the dangers, because they have no other option," she said.

Members of Offaly County Council were told at a Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) meeting in March of this year that the local authority was liaising with Cuan to identify a site within Tullamore that may be suitable for a domestic violence shelter.

Director of Service Noel Gorman said that, once a site had been identified and agreed, it was hoped that Cuan would be in a position to apply for planning permission "by the end of 2025".

Meanwhile, the annual Church Gate Collection for Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service will take place at all Masses in Tullamore this weekend, with all funds raised going directly towards the counselling and play therapy services being offered to clients of the service.