Sir, – Move – Men Overcoming Violence – works in the area of domestic violence, with the primary aim of supporting the safety and wellbeing of women and their children who are experiencing or have experienced violence and abuse in an intimate relationship. Move would like to pay tribute to the late Garda Tony Golden, who was killed after being called to a domestic dispute in Omeath, Co Louth. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
In Ireland, An Garda Síochána has a unique and important position in promoting the safety of women in domestic violence contexts. Indeed, it is often the initial contact for many women in crisis situations. Fundamentally, given its law-enforcement role, the individual response of the police is crucial to an effective strategy to address domestic violence.
Women’s Aid highlights that since 1996 209 women have been murdered in Ireland, with 62 per cent of the killings occurring in the women’s own homes. Disturbingly, of the murders of women that have been resolved via the courts, 55 per cent of the killings were perpetrated by the woman’s partner or ex-partner.
The killing of Garda Golden in the line of duty stands as a stark reminder of the highly fraught nature of domestic abuse, alongside the tragedy that may follow in its wake, not only to its victims, but also to the wider society.
This killing also speaks to the incredible courage of frontline responders, such as the late Garda Tony Golden. Quite simply, as a national community, standing against domestic violence, we owe a huge debt to the men and women of An Garda Síochána, who in doing their duty may pay with their very lives. Theirs truly is the ultimate sacrifice. – Yours, etc,
Dr MARGARET
O’KEEFFE, LLM
Cork Institute
of Technology,
Bishopstown, Cork.