‘Show of support’ to Saoirse Domestic Violence Services for ‘invaluable’ work
Lord Mayor of Dublin Alision Gilliland visited Saoirse Domestic Violence Services (Photos: Paddy Barrett)

‘Show of support’ to Saoirse Domestic Violence Services for ‘invaluable’ work

LORD Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland visited Saoirse Domestic Violence Services in a “show of support” for its “invaluable” work.

On Tuesday, April 26, the Lord Mayor visited Saoirse’s Tallaght refuge, its Outreach and Prevention office on the Greenhill’s Road and its Rathcoole refuge to hear first-hand about the service’s ongoing needs and challenges.

In a comment to The Echo, Lord Mayor Gilliland said: “Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a key issue for women.

“It effects too many women and their children across our city and indeed across our country with incidences rising significantly during Covid.

“I’m particularly aware of the essential services and supports organisations like Saoirse provide.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland with Stacey, Tracey and Cora

She added: “My visit to their women’s refuges and outreach services was very much a show of support for the invaluable work they do and an opportunity to hear first-hand from them about their ongoing needs and challenges and how Dublin City Council, particularly our housing section and social work section can better support them.

“I am heartened by the embracing by [Justice] Minister Helen McEntee of the need to increase the number of women’s refuges and enhance services for those experiencing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and want to play my part in supporting this extremely important work.”

The Lord Mayor’s visit was initiated after she hosted a round table discussion on April 15, which included Saoirse Domestic Violence Services (SDVS), Cllr Hazel De Nortin (PBP Ballyfermot/Drimnagh), Dublin City Council’s housing department and other service providers.

The round table discussed housing policy and how it impacts those experiencing domestic violence.

Trish Quinn (Refuge Manager), Nadine O’Brien (Outreach Manager), David Laird (Chair) with Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland

According to Nadine O’Brien, Saoirse’s Outreach and Prevention Manager, SDVS Outreach and Cllr De Nortin has requested a domestic violence liaison officer be introduced to the housing department of Dublin City Council.

The introduction of a liaison officer would “support, advocate and be the voice” for victims and survivors of domestic violence who experience homelessness as a result of their experience, Ms O’Brien said.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin was greeted by SDVS Chairperson David Laird and refuge manager Trish Quinn when she arrived in Tallaght.

Commenting on the day, Ms O’Brien said: “We look forward to our continued work with the Lord Mayor’s office and are very thankful for the time taken to visit our services.

“We thoroughly enjoyed showcasing our services to Lord Mayor of Dublin and especially advocating for the needs of our service users and expressing the need for additional funding and support from government.”

SDVS provides a range of support services including a 24-hour helpline, safe refuge accommodation, safe house accommodation, children’s support services, community outreach and court accompaniment.

For further details visit Saoirse Domestic Violence Service’s website HERE.

Call the 24-hour helpline on 01 4630000.

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