Cllr Kay Keane recently highlighted the urgent need for action to support victims of domestic violence in South Dublin.
Cllr Keane, alongside fellow People Before Profit councillors Jess Spear and Madeleine Johansson, is pressing a motion to South Dublin County Council to prioritise housing for victims of domestic violence. The motion aims to ensure that women and their children fleeing abusive situations are not left in emergency accommodation or forced to return to dangerous homes due to a lack of long-term housing options.
“We are frequently contacted by women who have to leave short-term refuges but have nowhere to go,” said Cllr Keane. “It’s already hard enough for women to leave a violent situation, particularly if they have children. This motion would compel the council to allocate housing to victims of domestic violence, providing them with the safety and stability they desperately need.”
“The vast majority of women killed in their own homes were murdered by men known to them, often their intimate partners. The housing crisis is making it nearly impossible for women to flee violent and abusive relationships. Our motion to Council would ensure continued supports for victims and their children beyond short-term refuge.”
The motion comes amid a growing crisis in domestic and gender-based violence across Ireland. With only 162 refuge spaces available nationwide—far below the 476 needed to meet international standards—women are often left with no safe options. In South Dublin, the lack of adequate housing and support services is exacerbating the problem, leaving vulnerable women and children at risk.
Cllr Keane emphasised, “This is a matter of life and death. We cannot wait any longer for the government to act. South Dublin County Council must take immediate steps to address this crisis and ensure that victims of domestic violence have access to safe and secure housing.”
The motion will be debated at an upcoming council meeting, and Cllr Keane is urging all councillors to support this vital initiative. “St Brigid was a fighter for women, and we must continue that fight today. It’s time for action, not words.”
