'No suitable' site to build Laois domestic abuse centre

Hope to build a domestic violence centre for Laois families appears to have faded again, with a claim that the right site is still not found. 

While last year it was announced that a site in an undisclosed Portlaoise location was in the process of being bought, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley has said this week that she does not believe that a suitable site has yet been found.

"I don't believe we have identified a site that is suitable, from what we've seen," she said at the March meeting of Laois County Council

She spoke after a visit to a Galway shelter, describing it as “phenomenal”.

“We went in at 12.30 and weren’t out until 3pm. It is absolutely phenomenal, the service provided. It is an old convent that was gifted. It was a Magdalene laundry. 

“It has nine self-contained apartments with en-suites and cooking facilities, and one emergency accommodation room. It is on two acres, a fantastic gated security. 

“You drive or walk into a holding area where you can’t get in until they open the gate inside. It’s extremely secure. 

“It has a pre-school and a games room and a treatment room. It’s in a built up area and totally overlooked but there is plenty of privacy. It has 45 staff, I was shocked.

“There are two small graveyards, and lovely gardens. I’d like to acknowledge and thank the staff for giving us nearly three hours of their time to show us around,” she said.

The Galway centre has advice for a future Laois equivalent.

“They told us to be ambitious, to see if we can get a green field site. They’re trying to build on and they say make sure there is space to build on. It was mind boggling, eye opening,” Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

Laois is earmarked by the Government as a priority among nine counties with no refuge. It is promised to get a €1.75m new shelter with eight secure units for families. Women and children escaping domestic abuse in Laois must presently go to shelters in other counties, far from their family, schools and jobs.

Director of Services for Housing, Angela McEvoy accompanied Cllr Dwane Stanley.

“It was a good visit, the invitation is open to other local authorities, to see how the service works,” she said.

Laois council publishes plans for long-promised Rock of Dunamase car park

The Laois Cathaoirleach Cllr Thomasina Connell said she is making her own visit to the Galway shelter. Cllr Willie Aird said he would also like to go and bring another council staff member to make it an official visit. 

Laois Domestic Abuse Service offers support to women experiencing abuse in the home, with an office in Portlaoise. See www.laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie for confidential help or to support them with donations.