‘Potentially deadly’ delay to open a Laois Domestic Abuse Shelter

A large house in Portlaoise has been bought to provide a domestic abuse shelter serving Laois, but a year later, no further progress has been made, with concerns growing for the safety of women and children.

Laois County Council used state funds to buy the property, a listed building, in a secret location to protect its future residents.

Now an added purchase of .3 acres of land has been requested by Laois Domestic Abuse Service, before a plan can start.

In a second delay, the service must find a housing association as a partner on the project.

The update was given on foot of a motion tabled by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald to the September meeting of Laois County Council. 

She was against buying the site in the first place.

“Laois is one of nine counties with no domestic abuse refuge. There is an awful lack of accommodation, it’s potentially a deadly situation. Deciding to leave can be the most dangerous time, and we are asking women and children to leave their own area, the children are losing their school, their mother is losing her friends. 

“I was against this site purchase. This was the most ridiculous site in the first place. It was a protected structure. I said that women in Laois would suffer for longer. They insisted on this site, now we are told we need more land. How long is this going to go on? This should never have been agreed. 

“There should be at least two council representatives on this board. I’m worried about the future of Laois women. Even if you get land, god knows, it’s a private developer. They say they can’t go ahead without getting the land.

“Here we are at another Christmas, and Christmas is horrendous, with nowhere to get help. If there is not an agreement on the extra land, can we look at another site, start on a green site? I just can’t see this happening. I’m so disappointed. The money is there. The Government has no problem providing the money. We are backed into a corner,” she said.

Acting council CEO Simon Walton said the house is “waiting since November 2023”.

“After the purchase, a request was made for additional lands to be purchased, to progress this matter. Until an agency is ready to make an application to fund the development, we are not in any further position to fund it,” he said.

Director of Services Angela McEvoy said she would convey their concerns to LDAS.

“As Cllr Kelly says, refuges have opened recently such as Wexford and Galway on very tight sites. We are in negotiations with the landowner to the rear. We will certainly bring back your concerns,” she said.

Ms McEvoy had given a detailed written update.

“In November 2023, Laois County Council purchased a 0.7 acre site to facilitate and support the development of a Domestic Violence Refuge in County Laois. In order to advance the development of the Refuge, LDAS are required to partner with an Approved Housing Body. Once that partnership is established, Laois County Council will support an application to the Dept. of Housing, under the Capital Assistance Scheme. 

“In parallel, LDAS and Dept. of Housing  and Justice requested the acquisition of an additional 0.3 acres, to support the development. The Council is seeking to acquire the additional lands.

“The County Council is acutely aware of the urgent need for the delivery of a Domestic Violence Refuge within the County and continue to work closely with Laois Domestic Abuse Service, the Housing Agency, CUAN (Dept of Justice) and the Department of Housing on plans to construct a refuge, including advice on funding such the development through the Dept of Housing’s Capital Assistance Scheme. The stakeholders steering Group will meet in October to progress matters,” the director said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded the motion.

“I don’t disapprove of the current site. We looked at another one on the Stradbally road but that’s a protected structure too. Whichever site, there would be huge problems. I’d like to see a clean greenfield site.

“Myself, Aidan and Marie (Cllr Mullins and Cllr Tuohy) met Laois Domestic Abuse Service. I do share concerns about the length of time, it’s going to take forever,” she said, suggesting that three councillors be on the LDAS board. 

Cllr Vivienne Phelan supports the motion too.

“€7.3million was announced for the redevelopment of Kerry’s refuge and they already have one. This has come up for the last 10 years in council motions, we need action, we need to prioritise this, they are the most vulnerable people out there,” she said. 

Cllr Willie Aird has concerns about what he called a “very difficult, inaccessible, tight site”. 

“It shows when you have the money, you still can’t get the job done. In the interim we should have a house available. We did have two and no one knew where they were, they were furnished, one on the goodwill of the person who gave it. Imagine on Christmas week taking up your kids and going somewhere,” he said.

Cllr James Kelly said he knew other smaller sites that have worked well, in urban areas.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly said the council has “honoured their obligation” by buying the site, and the delay is not with it.

Cllr Aisling Moran pointed out that even after land is bought, the planning process must take place, for what is a protected structure.

“Maybe it should be scrapped. How many more women are to be beaten, attacked or even killed? We’re not protecting the innocent people here,” she said.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live got an update directly from the Department of Justice and from LDAS.